Characteristics of new cases of HIV infection reported
In 2006, another 357 Singapore residents1 were newly reported with HIV infection. About 91% of the new cases detected were males. This brings the total number of HIV infected Singaporeans to 3,060 as of end 2006 (Table 1). As at 31 Dec 2006, 1,307 persons are asymptomatic carriers, 705 had AIDS-related illnesses and 1,048 have died.
As in previous years, sexual transmission was the main mode of HIV transmission. Of the 357 cases reported in 2006, 92% were infected through sex. Of these, two-thirds occurred via heterosexual sex. The proportion of cases infected via intravenous drug use remained small (4%). However, the number of such cases increased from just 4 cases in 2005 to 14 cases in 2006.
More than half of all new cases reported in 2006 were aged between 30 to 49 years of age. Just under one-fifth (57 cases) were aged between 20 to 29 years of age. Some of them may have got infected when they were teenagers as HIV may go undetected for several years.
In 2006, more than half (58%) of the new cases already had late-stage HIV infection2 when they were diagnosed. This was similar to the pattern in previous years. There is thus an urgent need for persons who engage in high risk behaviour such as unprotected casual sex and intravenous drug abuse to test themselves for HIV.
Most of the new cases in 2006 (78%) had their HIV detected when they had HIV testing in the course of some form of medical care. A much smaller proportion were detected as a result of voluntary HIV screening (13%). The rest were detected through contact tracing and other screening. When differentiated by sexual orientation, a higher proportion of homosexuals had their HIV infection detected via voluntary screening compared to heterosexuals (35% vs 3%).
Preventing HIV infection
The most effective way to prevent HIV infection is to remain faithful to one’s spouse/partner and to avoid casual sex and sex with prostitutes. A HIV infected person looks and feels normal during the early stage of the infection. It is therefore not possible to tell if a person is infected or not by looking at his/her appearance.
Persons who engage in high-risk behaviour i.e. multiple sexual partners, casual sex or sex with prostitutes, are strongly advised to use condoms to reduce their risk of HIV infection. Condoms should be used consistently during every sexual encounter. It is an offence under the Infectious Diseases Act for persons who know that they are infected with HIV not to inform their sex partners of their HIV status before sexual intercourse. Persons who engage in high risk sexual practices are advised not to donate blood.
Persons who have unprotected sex while engaging in high-risk behaviour have a higher risk of HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI). In 2006, a total of 7,100 cases of STI were also reported among Singapore residents. Persons engaging in high-risk sexual behaviour should go for HIV testing regularly so that the disease is detected and treated as early as possible. HIV treatment can significantly delay the onset of AIDS and reduce the risk of death.
HIV testing is available in most medical clinics. The identities of persons who come forward for testing and those who are found to be HIV positive will be kept strictly confidential. Anonymous testing services are also available. More information about HIV and AIDS can be found at the HPB website at www.hpb.gov.sg/aids.
AIDS is not transmitted through normal day-to-day contacts with a HIV infected person at home, in school or at the workplace. You cannot get AIDS from coughs, sneezes, shaking hands, hugging, sharing of food and cutlery, sharing of toilets, etc.
1Singapore citizens and permanent residents
2CD4+ cell count of less than 20 per cu mm or AIDS-defining opportunistic infections or both