What is AIDS?

AIDS is also known as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. As its name implies, AIDS is an illness that compromises one’s immune system.

“As of 2018, there are approximately 8,000 people living with HIV in Singapore.”

What is HIV and how is it relevant to AIDS?

Before you get confused by all the medical terms, here’s a lowdown on what HIV and AIDS are.

HIV

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks cells of the immune system of a person, making him/her more vulnerable to other infections and diseases.
Spread via contact with bodily fluids of a HIV-carrier (e.g. via unprotected sex, or sharing injection equipment)
There is presently no cure for HIV. However, HIV medication can help carriers lead normal lives by preventing HIV transmission to their sexual partners.

AIDS

AIDS is the later stage of an HIV infection.
HIV can lie dormant for up to 10 years before advancing to AIDS.
At this stage, the immune system is so badly damaged, opportunistic illnesses can be life-threatening.

How can you protect yourself from HIV?

HIV is spread via bodily fluids such as semen, pre-seminal fluids, rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, breast milk and blood. Transmission is possible if these fluids come into direct contact with a mucous membrane (e.g. rectum, vagina, penis opening, mouth), damaged tissue, or injected directly into the bloodstream.

To reduce your risks of getting HIV,

Get tested. STDs increase your risk of getting infected with HIV and spreading it to others.
Know your partner’s STD and HIV status before having sex.
Limit your number of sexual partners. The more partners you have, the more likely it is for you to have a partner with an STD or HIV, increasing the risk of transmission.
Proper condom usage during sexual intercourse. E.g. using a new condom for every act of vaginal, anal and oral sex, ensuring proper semen disposal.
If you require drug injections, ensure that the equipment used is sterile and never share it with others. Similarly, while engaging in activities where you may potentially be exposed to blood (e.g. at a tattoo parlor), ensure that all equipment has been properly sterilised.
Getting pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). PrEP is a medicinal HIV prevention option for people at high risk of becoming infected with HIV (e.g. living with, or working in environments that have high exposure to HIV-carriers).

Other factors:

Unprotected anal sex conveys the greatest probability of HIV transmission and oral sex the lowest.
Lack of circumcision is associated with HIV acquisition in men
Concurrent sexually transmitted infections are associated with both transmission and acquisition.
Behavioural factors, such as whether condoms were used, the number of sexual partners, and sex under the influence of recreational drugs, also affect overall sexual HIV transmission risk.

If you suspect that you have been exposed to HIV, seek medical attention immediately to begin post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). For it to be effective, PEP must be started within 3 days after exposure.

Dispelling HIV Myths

How HIV is transmitted

Contrary to belief, coming into casual contact with an HIV carrier - such as a handshake or hug do NOT transmit HIV. Using the same utensils, desk and toilet bowl will not cause you to be infected as well.

You also can’t get HIV from sharing food, insect bites (yes, even mosquitos!), sneezes and coughs, and coming into contact with a carrier’s perspiration.

HIV cannot be spread via oral sex

It can! As HIV is spread during an exchange of bodily fluids, cuts, sores or abrasions in the mouth or sexual organs can transmit HIV.

HIV cannot be prevented or cured by

Washing after sex, having sex with a virgin, using the withdrawal method, using contraceptives, or using herbal medicine are urban myths that do not prevent or cure HIV.

Will I definitely get HIV if I get infected fluid from an HIV-carrier?

No! Even if someone is an HIV-carrier, you cannot be infected if he/she has an undetectable viral load.

Contracting HIV/AIDS is a death sentence

While HIV/AIDS has no cure, it is treatable. Medical advancements now enable people living with these conditions to continue leading productive lives.

For more myths busted, check out Health Hub’s article on HIV and AIDS here!

June 5th is HIV Long-Term Survivors Day!

Credits to hltsad.org

Running annually since 2014, HIV Long-Term Survivors Day is meant to celebrate the lives, dignity, and shared stories of HIV Survivors in order to combat the “death sentence” associations often tagged to an HIV/AIDS diagnosis. Every year, the organisation chooses new priorities to focus on so that action can be taken for change.

For 2021, June 5th would be the 40th anniversary of the start of the AIDS pandemic. Their target this year is to fight the negative stereotypes of ageism so that the quality of life for people ageing with HIV/AIDS can be improved, and to demand universal treatment access to help end the HIV epidemic.

Here are some stories of long-term survivors to understand their plight better.

How do I know if I have HIV?

The only way to know for sure if you are a carrier is to get tested. While conventional blood tests take up to 2 weeks to return results, medical advancements have given rise to rapid HIV tests which give results as soon as within 20 minutes!