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| AIDS:
What you need to know |
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AIDS
(Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is a killer
disease without a cure. It is spread by the human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and destroys the body’s
immune system. As a result, the body cannot protect
itself against infections and some cancers.
How do I protect myself
against HIV and AIDS?
Most Singaporeans get the disease through casual
sex with prostitutes, strangers and acquaintances.
It takes just one sexual encounter with an HIV-positive
person to be infected by HIV. Besides a laboratory
HIV test, there is no way of telling who has HIV
since an infected person looks normal and shows
no symptoms for several years after infection. Thus,
if you are infected, you might unknowingly spread
it to your spouse.
To protect yourself and your loved ones from this
devastating disease, take note of the following:
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Say
no to casual sex
Avoid casual sex with prostitutes,
strangers and acquaintances. |
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Stay
faithful to your spouse
Have sex only with your spouse. This will
protect yourself, your spouse and your family
from AIDS and the needless suffering that
comes with it. |
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Always
use a condom
A condom (the latex/polyurethane type only)
acts as a barrier to reduce the chances of
HIV transmission. However, condoms do not
offer 100% protection. They may leak and break
due to defects or improper use. Hence the
best way to protect yourself is still to avoid
casual sex. |
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Stay
away from drug abuse and needle-sharing
Drug abuse is harmful to the body and by sharing
a needle tainted with blood containing HIV,
you can be infected. |
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Ensure
that surgical and skin-piercing instruments
used are sterilised
When using services that involve piercing
the skin such as tattoo-piercing, and ear-
or body-piercing, check that sterile needles
are used every time. If in doubt, stay away.
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| You
definitely need to protect yourself, but there is
no need to be paranoid. HIV is not spread through: |
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kissing
an HIV-infected person (unless there are open
sores or wounds through which HIV-tainted
blood can be transferred); |
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sharing
food, utensils, towels or bedding, a swimming
pool, the telephone or the toilet seat with
someone who has HIV; nor |
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coming
into contact with the sweat or tears of someone
with HIV or AIDS. |
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| If
you think you might be HIV-positive or have a high
risk of infection, see a doctor or go for HIV testing.
Where AIDS is concerned, ignorance is not bliss.
Continuing high-risk behaviour only increases the
chances of you being infected with HIV and spreading
it to others. HIV testing is important to safeguard
your health and to prevent transmitting the virus
to others including your loved ones. |
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| Learn
more about AIDS |
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Call
the 24-hour AIDS & Sexually
Transmitted Diseases (STD)
Helpline at 6295
2944
(recorded messages in four
languages) |
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Call
the HIV & STD Information
Hotline at 6254
0212 (Tue / Thu
/ Fri, 6.30 pm – 9.30
pm) |
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Call the Department of STD
Control Clinic at 6293
9648/9716 (for
appointments) and 1800
252 1324 (for personal
counselling) |
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Call
the Healthline at 1800
223 1313 (for personal
advice during office hours)
and 1800 848 1313
(for 24-hr pre-recorded
health information) |
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Website
http://www.hpb.gov.sg
http://www.healthylife.org.sg |
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