Getting tested for HIV is the only way to know your HIV status. Knowing your status is important to keep you and your partner healthy. Delay in detection and diagnosis leads to late initiation of treatment with poorer prognosis and outcomes, increasing the risk of onward transmission of HIV infection. To find out how often you should be tested for HIV, click here.
In Singapore, HIV testing is traditionally performed in hospitals, clinics and through services provided by community-based organisations. Some clinics provide the options of rapid testing with results delivered in 20 minutes, or anonymous testing services. In 2008, the Ministry of Health (MOH) also implemented a voluntary opt-out screening (VOS) programme for all adult inpatients in public restructured hospitals to improve detection rates and reduce the prevalence of undiagnosed and late-stage diagnosis HIV infection.
HIV self-testing kits will be available for purchase at select retail pharmacies nationwide and at the Action for AIDS (AfA) by end January 2025. Click here for more information.
Understanding HIV Test Results
You tested HIV negative, what's next?
A negative result means that no signs of a HIV infection were found in the sample. But that does not mean you do not have HIV, because of the window period (the time between HIV exposure and when a test can give reliable results).
Different HIV tests have different window periods. Ask your healthcare provider about the window period for the HIV test you are taking. For HIV self-test kits, you can find the information in the package.
In general, if you have a negative HIV test result and the last possible HIV exposure was:
If you have a negative test result again after the window period, and have no possible HIV exposure during the time, then you do not have HIV.
Now that you know you are negative, it is important to stay HIV negative and protect your health.
Tips to stay HIV negative:
Practice the ABCD approach to prevent HIV (Abstinence from casual sex; Be faithful; Correct and consistent condom usage; and early Detection)
Consider taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) if ongoing risk (see PrEP below under 'HIV Prevention and Treatment').
Test regularly for HIV, or every 3-6 months if engaging at risk behaviours
You tested HIV positive, what's next?
All positive test results require a follow-up test for confirmation.
If you test positive on a HIV self-test kit, repeat the testing at a healthcare facility (including anonymous testing sites).
If you test positive in a healthcare facility, this will be done automatically.
If you have a positive test result again, it means you have HIV.
What to do when diagnosed with HIV?
There is currently no effective cure for HIV, but it can be controlled with proper care. By taking HIV medicine (called antiretroviral therapy or ART), people with HIV can live long, healthy lives and protect their partners. With early and effective treatment, people living with HIV can lead lives no different from others.
HIV treatment is available in most public (NCID, National University Hospital , Singapore General Hospital and Changi General Hospital) and private healthcare institutions in Singapore. Most commonly-used HIV medications are subsidised, making them accessible and affordable.
To learn about the HIV patient journey at NCID, click here.
 | Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a
risk-reduction treatment against HIV, which involves the use of HIV medicine
for people who do not have HIV but are at risk of HIV infection. When taken as
prescribed, PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV infection. As PrEP only
protects against HIV, condom use is still important to prevent other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). To find out if PrEP is suitable for you, click here. Talk
to your doctor if you are interested in PrEP. For more information regarding PrEP services in NCID, click here. PrEP services are also available at other public and private healthcare institutions in Singapore. For any other PrEP related enquiries, call the NCID HIV PrEP clinic at (65) 6357 7000 or email [email protected]
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 | Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a short course of HIV medicine to prevent HIV after a recent high-risk exposure to HIV. PEP should be used only in emergency situations and must be started within 72 hours after a possible exposure to HIV. A high-risk exposure to HIV includes: Any unprotected anal or vaginal sex with a partner who is HIV positive or a person in a HIV-risk group (commercial sex workers, IV drug users, men who have sex with men/ bisexual men), Sharing of or exposure to contaminated needles or blades, particularly needle-stick injuries, or Victims of sexual assault
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PEP is not a substitute for
other HIV prevention methods such as consistent condom use, and it is not meant
for regular use by people who may be exposed to HIV frequently. One should
consider PrEP instead if there is repeated exposure to HIV (see PrEP above).
Talk to your doctor if you think you need PEP.
Should you require PEP after
operating hours, over the weekends and/or during the public holidays, please
visit the Emergency Department of any public hospital and request for PEP.
 | Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)
Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) is
recommended for all people who are infected with HIV. Although ART cannot cure
HIV, it can control the virus and help people with HIV live longer, healthier lives.
ART can also reduce the risk of HIV transmission (refer to Treatment as
Prevention below); however, it does not prevent transmission of other STIs.
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Treatment as Prevention (TasP) Treatment as Prevention (TasP) refers to the use of HIV medicine to decrease the risk of HIV transmission. People living with HIV who take HIV medicine exactly as prescribed can suppress their HIV viral load to an undetectable level (<200 copies/ml), reducing the risk of HIV transmission to others (i.e. Undetectable = Untransmittable, U=U). To learn more about TasP, please click here.
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A person living with HIV who has maintained a stably undetectable viral load (<200 copies/ml) consecutively for at least six months, do not pose a risk of transmitting HIV to their sexual partner(s), and is no longer required to inform their sexual partner(s) of the risks of getting HIV from them before engaging in any sexual activity. Kindly refer to MOH website here for more information on the recent amendments to the Infectious Diseases Act (IDA).
HIV Education Events
The National HIV Programme (NHIVP) regularly hosts seminars and education events to raise HIV awareness and knowledge in the community. You may find all the HIV-related past events here.
The annual events are:
HIV Community Engagement Forum - The HIV Community Engagement Forum aims to bring together people from all walks of life, such as infectious disease specialists, general healthcare professionals, members of the community working with HIV populations, and the general public, to engage in dialogues and discussions in order to raise awareness and combat various misconceptions surrounding HIV.
World AIDS Day - World AIDS Day (WAD) started in 1988 and takes place on 1 December each year. It is an international day for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. Every year, NHIVP and Enhanced HIV Programmes at public healthcare institutions commemorate WAD through activities to raise awareness about HIV, challenge misconceptions about HIV transmission and infection, and develop empathy and solidarity between people living with HIV and healthcare workers.
To receive information about NHIVP's events, please email: [email protected]
Articles in Media and Publications
CNA, 2023: New HIV infections among Singapore residents fall to lowest level since 1998
Berita Harian, 2023: HIV can be treated
The Straits Times, 2022: With early and effective treatment, people with HIV live no differently from others
Her World, 2022: Health matters: Why we need to destigmatise attitudes towards HIV
NCID Intelligence, 2022: Living with HIV in an Age of COVID-19
NCID, 2021: Ending HIV (and its stigma) in Singapore - the ambitious goal of the NHIVP
The Straits Times, 2020: HIV and COVID-19: Lessons from two plagues
The Straits Times, 2019: Need to maintain trust with people living with HIV
National HIV Recommendations & Guidelines
Developed by the NHIVP, the following recommendations and guidelines are used to promote HIV prevention, treatment and care:
HIV Testing Recommendations
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Guidance
Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Recommendations
Primary Care Recommendations
You may find the full text here.
The NHIVP, along with various partners, consistently
develop education campaigns aimed at debunking HIV myths and misconceptions, promoting
HIV prevention and treatment, as well as stopping HIV stigma.
HIV doesn’t differentiate (2022 & 2023)





Content Pieces
Year | Content Pieces |
2023
| R u okay, NCID: Why you need to do a HIV test right now ONE FM, DSC Clinic: The Brightside with Carol, Lavinia & Shehzad Love 97.2, 健康粉 tastic with Violet Fenying: Dr Lee Pei Hua (NCID), Dr Edwin Sng (CGH)Warna, Lunch belt with Aura Shai: Dr Terrence Chiew (NSC), Dr Dhiya Metussin (NCID) Oli 968, Vanakkam Singai with Haleema & Rafi, SGH: Session 1, Session 2
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2022
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With early and effective treatment, people living with HIV can lead lives no different from others (2021)
Content Pieces
It’s Time to Spread the Facts (2019)

Click the poster to watch the campaign videos.