Press Room

Re: Misinformation in Report on HIV Positive Person

I refer to the Straits Times article ‘Jail for ex-lawyer who scratched, injured CNB officers in struggle during arrest’ published on 11 April 2022. The article mentions that the accused who was HIV positive scratched a CNB officer in the neck. The officer subsequently went through 6 HIV tests. The article also mentions that at the time of the offense the accused was on anti-retroviral therapy and that his viral load was undetectable.

While I am not commenting on the course of law and action that was taken, nevertheless I would like to highlight that there is no scientific evidence to show that scratching of the skin can transmit HIV. Furthermore the 6 HIV tests performed is unnecessary and excessive.

Such reporting in the media without scientific explanation, can cause confusion and fear in the public and reinforce stigma that patients living with HIV face. It also deters high risk persons from knowing their HIV status.

I would also like to add that it has been scientifically proven by several large clinical studies that people with HIV who are optimally treated with anti-retroviral medications and have suppressed viral loads in their bloodstream cannot transmit the HIV virus to others. I am glad that fact was reported in the article.

Accurate, informed and less sensational reporting will go a long way to removing the stigma of HIV infection.

Prof Roy Chan
President
Action for AIDS Singapore