HIV
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Cross Street Medical Clinic is approved to do HIV Testing by the Ministry of Health Singapore. Cross Street Medical offers all relevant HIV screening tests, PEP and PrEP. Speak to our doctors today about what you may need. Female doctors are available by appointment. We ensure patient privacy and confidentiality for all discussions, tests and treatments.
What is Post-Exposure Prophylaxis?
PEPÂ (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) means taking antiretroviral medicines (ART) after being potentially exposed to HIV to prevent becoming infected.
PEP should be used only in emergency situations and must be started within 72 hours after a recent possible exposure to HIV.
If you think you may need to take PEP, talk to a doctor right away.
When should we consider PEP?
For an HIV-negative person who, in the last 72 hours had been:
1. Had been exposed to blood or potentially infectious fluids (for example, if the condom broke, or had unprotected anal or vaginal sex) from:
- an HIV-positive person
- a person in a high risk group (commercial sex worker, IV drug user, men who have sex with men/bisexual men)
- being sexually assaulted
2. Had shared contaminated needles and syringes
These are all examples of high risk exposure and PEP is recommended to prevent getting HIV and AIDS.
Talk to a doctor about PEP right away.
How do we take PEP?
PEP must be started within 72 hours after a possible exposure. The sooner you start PEP, the better; every hour counts.
Starting PEP as soon as possible after a potential HIV exposure is important. Research has shown that PEP has little or no effect in preventing HIV infection if it is started later than 72 hours after HIV exposure.
PEP is taken orally and comprises three different anti-retroviral drugs.
If you’re prescribed PEP, you’ll need to take it once daily for 28 days. Compliance to treatment is very important to ensure treatment is effective.
Cross Street Medical Clinic offers the latest PEP drug combination (based on CDC guidelines, 2016).
Does PEP have side effects?
Current recommended drugs (United States Center of Disease Control Guidelines, 2016) for use as PEP have minimal risk of serious side effects.
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and fatigue were the most commonly reported side effects. The side effects are temporary in nature.
Must we take PEP every time we have unprotected sex?
PEP should be used only in emergency situations.
PEP is not the right choice for people who may be exposed to HIV frequently—for example, if you often have sex without a condom with a partner who is HIV-positive or have high risk sex regularly.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is when people at high risk for HIV take antiretroviral drugs daily to lower their chances of getting HIV.
If you want to reduce your risk of HIV infection, speak to our doctors about PrEP.
What is the treatment schedule for PEP?
|
Visit schedule |
Tests required |
|
First visit |
Baseline HIV test Full blood count, liver and kidney function tests Hepatitis B/C screening |
|
2 weeks post-exposure |
Full blood count, liver and kidney function tests |
|
1 month |
HIV test STD screening |
|
3 months |
HIV test |
|
6 months |
HIV test |
How do we prevent infection and re-infection?
- Avoiding high risk sex, including commercial sex workers, casual sex and multiple sex partners
- Using condoms, including during oral sex
- Being in a long-term monogamous relationship with a partner who has tested negative for HIV and other STDs/STIs