STD_Screening

Our Experience

Dr. Chua previously practised at Cambridge Clinic (Kreta Ayer, China Town). Cambridge clinic was one of the 2 pioneered HIV Anonymous test-site in 2006.
He is experienced in STD treatment and also a panel doctor for Department of STI Control (DSC).
At Siglap Clinic, we offer screening and treatment of various STDs – Syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Genital Herpes/Warts, HIV and NGU (Non-Gonococcal Urethritis).

Contact Us

For confidential STD screening and consultation arrangement, please

SMS: 9746 9564
Call: 6348 8389

Our lady doctor is available on Thursday 8:00am – 12.30pm, 2:00 – 4:00pm (Please call and confirm the doctor schedule at 6348 8389)

Common STDs

Syphilis

Cause Syphilis is caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum
Symptoms Early or primary syphilis.


One or more sores that are usually small painless ulcers. They occur on the genitals or in or around the mouth.
Regional lymph nodes are enlarged. Feel rubbery and are painless.


Secondary syphilis

A rash that begins on the trunk but eventually covers your entire body (even the palms and the soles of feet). This rash is usually not itchy and may be accompanied by wart-like sores in the mouth or genital area.
Some people also experience muscle aches, fever, sore throat and swollen lymph nodes.


Latent syphilis

If syphilis left untreated, the disease moves from the secondary to the latent (hidden) stage, when there is no symptoms. The latent stage can last for years. Signs and symptoms may never return, or the disease may progress to the tertiary (third) stage.


Tertiary (late) syphilis

Occurs 5 – 10 years after secondary syphilis.
In the late stages, the disease may damage brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones and joints. These problems may occur many years after the original, untreated infection.
First symptom appearance Usually between 2-6 weeks after exposure
Screening Blood Test
Screening Results 2-3 days
Treatment Penicillin Injection

 

Chlamydia

Cause Chlamydia is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis
Symptoms
  • Usually no signs and symptoms
  • Painful urination
  • Lower abdominal pain
  • Vaginal discharge in women
  • Discharge from the penis in men
  • Painful sexual intercourse in women
  • Bleeding between periods and after sex in women
  • Testicular pain in men
First symptom appearance 1 – 3 weeks after exposure
Screening Swab and urine test
Treatment Oral antibiotic

 

Gonorrhoea

Cause Gonorrhoea is caused by the Gram-negative bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Symptoms
  • Usually no signs and symptoms
  • Painful urination
  • Abdominal pain
  • For male:
    • Pus-like discharge from the tip of the penis
    • Pain or swelling in one testicle
  • For female:
    • Increased vaginal discharge
    • Vaginal bleeding between periods, such as after vaginal intercourse
    • Pelvic Pain
First symptom appearance 1 – 3 weeks after exposure
Screening Swab and urine test
Treatment Injection and/or Oral antibiotic

 

Genital Herpes

Cause Genital Herpes is caused by DNA Herpes simplex virus
Symptoms
  • Pain or itching
  • Small red bumps or tiny white blisters
  • Ulcers
  • Pain and tenderness in genital area
  • During an initial outbreak, may have flu-like signs and symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes in the groin, headache, muscle aches and fever
First symptom appearance Within two to 10 days after exposure
Screening Swab and blood test
Treatment Oral antiviral

 

Genital Warts

Cause Genital warts is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV)
Symptoms
  • Small, flesh-colored or gray swellings in your genital area
  • Several warts close together that take on a cauliflower shape
  • Itching or discomfort in your genital area
  • Bleeding with intercourse
First symptom appearance Within two to 10 days after exposure
Screening Physical Examination
Treatment Topical Medication

 

HIV

Cause HIV infection is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus. You can get HIV from contact with infected blood, semen, or vaginal fluids. Most people get the virus by having unprotected sex with someone who has HIV. Another common way of getting it is by sharing drug needles with someone who is infected with HIV.
Symptoms Symptom #1—Flu-Like Feeling

Most people who are infected with HIV will experience flu-like symptoms within two weeks to three months after the infection. That means you may have a fever, or suffer one or more of the following for a week or two:
  • rash on the arms, legs, face, or belly
  • sore throat
  • swollen lymph glands
  • mouth or genital ulcers
  • bad headaches
  • muscle aches and joint pain
  • nausea and vomiting
  • night sweats

Symptom #2—No Symptoms

In some people, it will create no symptoms of infection until the damage to the immune system has progressed. You may feel perfectly fine for months or years. Then, you may start suffering from a new infection or sickness that took hold because HIV weakened the immune system. This is why early testing—even when you feel fine—is so important.

Symptom #3—You GetSick

Whether you have no symptoms after infection, or you suffer a flu-like episode, the virus will soon go into a “latency” phase. During this time, patients may have no symptoms until the immune system is s ufficiently weakened or the disease has progressed to AIDS
First symptom appearance Within two weeks to 3 months after exposureWithin two to 10 days after exposure
Screening An HIV infection causes the body to produce antibodies (an immunological response by the body to fight infection). These antibodies can be picked up by HIV tests to indicate the presence of HIV infection in the person. There are two main ways in which this can be done.

Blood test
A conventional laboratory-based blood test. The results made available 2 days later

Rapid Test
Since 2007, the Ministry of Health approved a second method of detecting HIV infection – through the use of rapid HIV test kits in clinics for screening. Results of rapid tests can be out in less than 20 minutes. If the rapid test reveals a positive result for HIV however, a confirmatory laboratory blood test is required, and this involves the drawing of a small tube of blood by the doctor.
Currently, four rapid HIV kits are registered and available at most hospitals and clinics in Singapore:

These are the Alere Determine™ HIV-1/2 Test Kit, Orasure Oraquick® Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test, SD Bioline HIV 1/2 3.0 and SD Bioline HIV AG/AB Combo.

Below is a table summarising the difference between the various HIV tests:
  Orasure Oraquick® Rapid HIV 1/2 Antibody Test* SD Bioline HIV AG/AB Combo*
Time to get results 20 minutes 20 minutes
Fluids used for test Oral fluids Blood
Method of testing Oral swab (between cheek & gum) Finger prick

*As with all other screening tests, a positive result needs to be confirmed further by a conventional full blood test like the Western Blot method which uses specialised laboratory testing to detect the virus accurately
Treatment Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)

References:

http://afa.org.sg/pep/
https://www.moh.gov.sg/content/moh_web/home/statistics/infectiousDiseasesStatistics/HIV_Stats.html
 https://www.dsc-clinic.sg/Pages/index.aspx