Has taking an AIDS test ever crossed your mind? Charlene Fang goes for a screening and gets a much-needed wake-up call along the way

I’m not good with doctors. In fact, I’m the sort who would rather self-medicate for two weeks and try to think myself better rather than spring for a doctor (and risk hearing what exactly is wrong with me, and what has to be done). An AIDS test, however, was an idea I’d been toying with for the longest time. Not because I’ve screwed up (or around) knowingly, but because… well, it would be nice to know I’m home free on this front. So when the story idea popped up – and with World AIDS Day on 1 December – I raised my hand for the assignment.


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Just another day at the doctor, right? Wrong. Thinking about, and physically going for, the test turned out to be one of the most agonising experiences ever. Granted, much of the stress was self-infl icted – it got me thinking about what fuelled my paranoia. While I’ll freely admit I’m no goody-two-shoes (sorry Mum if you’re reading this), I’m no idiot either. So why was I wigging out big time?

My first attempt happened one rainy Tuesday evening. I’d made plans to arrive at the DSC Clinic on Kelantan Lane at 6pm, 30 minutes before the clinic opened. I wasn’t the only one with this brainwave. By 6.20pm, there were five others – all male – lingering outside. It was no surprise when no eye contact was initiated. By 6.45pm, another two had joined the fray. By 7pm – when the doors were still unopened – someone finally went in to find out what was going on. Clearly we were all too preoccupied with what was about to happen that we’d all missed the sign on the side door stating the clinic was closed for that one evening. Talk about bad luck.

The next day, left with an impending deadline, I decided to head down to Cambridge Clinic on Kreta Ayer Road. All the way there I was conscious of the pep talk I was giving myself. ‘I’ll be fine! I’ve always been careful. Oh, but that one time…’ I breathed a sigh of relief when I arrived and saw that the clinic was empty. Better yet, there was a sticker on the counter advertising the anonymous AIDS test. Perfect; no need to announce my intention.

Within five minutes, I was called in to see the doctor. His friendly face helped put the nervous flutter in my stomach to rest, but then he explained how there was a three-month interval between infection and turning seropositive. In layman’s terms, this means that a person who is HIV-negative according to the test could still be HIVpositive if the ‘exposure’ was fewer than three months ago. Whoa. Right. Luckily, since it’s been more than three months since any such – ahem – activity, I would not need a follow-up if I passed the test.

The doctor tore open the OraQuick® HIV-1/2 Antibody Rapid Screening kit, took out a porous flat pad and lightly scraped my inner gums. Once done, he stuck it into the small canister of developer solution; the mixture of my saliva and the solution would produce a line on the indicator attached to the mouth swab. Similar to a pregnancy test, my fate would be determined by one of two lines. In this case, it was a line on the ‘T’ (bad) or the ‘C’ (good). Amazing that the results of such life-altering tests are determined by primary colours and a couple of letters from the alphabet. I thought to myself, ‘I want that C, no two ways about it.’

We were done a minute later. It was 1.20pm. In 20 minutes I would know whether I was HIV-positive or HIV-negative. I proceeded to distract myself by reading the educational (and very informative) posters on the opposite wall. Apparently, if there was even a hint of a line on the ‘T’ bit, I would have to do another test. Help.

As I sat there counting down to 1.40pm, I thought about the different scenarios. What if I was HIV-positive? Would I tell my family, my friends? Or would I keep quiet and try to live a normal life? Would I quit my job and travel the world like I always dreamed of doing? How would I call up my exes and inform them? My mind was spinning with questions and images of Magic Johnson. As I tried to quell the rising panic, I forced myself to think of other things – my year-end holiday, my upcoming birthday, even work – but nothing helped. All I could do was analyse how I had chosen to live my life so far. Had I taken good care of myself? Had I made myself prone to danger because I was too shy to say otherwise? Had I really protected myself?

Clock ticks to 1.40pm. The moment of truth. I opened the door warily. The doctor looked up at me with a non-expression. ‘Please sit down and please close the door’ was all he said. My heart sank. Breathe, breathe, keep breathing. I cracked a nervous smile and looked down quickly…and there was one very visible line on the ‘C’.

‘Oh, thank God!’ I yelled, pumping my fist in the air. I don’t think I have ever felt such intense elation and relief at one time. As I floated out of the clinic with a big grin on my face, I thought about the AIDS statistic I’d read the other day. As of the end of June 2007, the total number of HIVinfected Singapore residents was 3,060; 34 per cent (1,048) of them have passed on. It made for sobering reading. And then I remembered what a friend had once said to me about this experience: ‘After my test, I said I would rather abstain for the rest of my life than have to go through all that again.’

You know those silent promises you make to God (or a higher power) when you’ve had an epiphany? I made one then: safe sex. I would never compromise on that ever again. Ever.
Go to www.afa.org.sg for more information or to find out how to help AIDS patients.

Sore topics
Don’t stop at getting yourself screened for AIDS. Jamie Nonis gives you the lowdown on four more you need

Chlamydia trachomatis
This is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium chlamydia trachomatis. this STD Transmitted via vaginal, anal or oral sex, it can cause inflammation of the cervix, uterus and ovaries in women and inflammation of the urethra in men.
What it’s about: the test is about: Tissue sampless are obtained from the cervix in women and the urethra in men.
Why it’s important: Even though symptoms are usually mild or absent, serious complications can cause irreversible damage, such as infertility. If the bacterium comes into contact with the eyes, it may cause conjunctivitis.

Gonorrhoea
This STD is spread through contact with the penis, vagina, mouth or anus, as well as from mother to baby during delivery.
What it’s about: the test is about: The quick test involves taking a sample of fluid from the parts of the body likely to be infected (cervix, urethra, rectum or throat), and testing if the gonorrhoea bacteria is present.
Why it’s important: Gonorrhoea is a common cause of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women. It can lead to internal abscesses and long-lasting chronic pelvic pain, as well as damage the fallopian tubes to cause infertility or increase the risk of an ectopic pregnancy. In men, it can cause epididymitis – a painful condition of the ducts attached to the testicles that may lead to infertility if left untreated. In extreme cases, gonorrhoea can spread to the blood or joints, which may be potentially life-threatening. It also increases a person’s risk of contracting HIV.

Prostate cancer
The sixth most common cancer among Singaporean men, prostate cancer develops in the prostate, which is a gland in the male reproductive system. It may cause pain and difficulty in urinating, as well as erectile dysfunction. The disease usually afflicts men over the age of 50.
What it’s about: Two tests are usually done to screen for prostate cancer. In the Digital Rectal Examination, the prostate gland is examined through the rectum with a gloved finger to identify any suspicious lumps, while the Prostate Specific Antigen blood test detects the onset of cancer in the prostate gland.
Why it’s important: Why: Early detection is imperative, as prostate cancer is curable only if it is limited to the prostate gland and has not spread to other parts of the body.
* These tests are usually conducted in a group (gonorrhoea, syphilis and chlamydia trachomatis) and can be done by your regular GP. The average cost is approximately $200-$300.

Syphilis
Syphilis – another common STD – is contracted through direct contact with a syphilis sore that is found mainly on the external genitals, vagina, anus, rectum, the lips and mouth. Thus it is transmitted via vaginal, anal or oral sex, as well as from mother to baby during delivery.
What it’s about: What the test is about: Screening is done using blood tests.
Why it’s important: It’s Can generally be treated withtreatable with antibiotics. But if left unchecked, it , it can cause damage to the heart, brain, eyes and bones. Untreated syphilis in a pregnant woman can infect and even kill her developing baby.

Where to go
Anonymous AIDS tests are conducted at these venues:

Anteh Dispensary
368 Geylang Rd, near Lorong 20 (6744 1809). MRT: Geylang. $50.
Available Mon-Fri 9am-noon, 2-5pm; Sat 9am-noon.

Cambridge Clinic
#03-27, 333 Kreta Ayer Rd (6327 1252). MRT: Outram Park. $50.
Mon-Fri 9am-2pm, Sat 9am- 12.30pm.

DSC Clinic
Blk 31, #01-16 Kelantan Ln (6293 9648). MRT: Farrer Park. $20 (via a blood test).
Tue & Wed 6.30-8pm, Sat 1.30-3.30pm.