Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) in Singapore
Mediway Medical Centre offers confidential STD testing and treatment in Singapore from our clinic at The Riverwalk, Clarke Quay. Same-day consultations are usually available; testing is performed on-site with results typically within one to three business days.
10 Assure tiers
Walk-in or booked
Phone, WhatsApp, email
No external referral
Self-pay option available
Clarke Quay MRT
What are STDs?
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), also called sexually transmitted infections (STIs), are infections passed from one person to another through sexual contact. They can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites, and they affect people of all ages, backgrounds, and relationship types.
Many STDs cause no obvious symptoms, which is why routine testing matters even if you feel fine. Left untreated, some STDs can lead to complications such as infertility, chronic pain, organ damage, or increased HIV risk. The good news: most bacterial STDs are fully curable with antibiotics, and viral STDs can be managed effectively with modern treatment.
How STDs spread
STDs are transmitted through four main routes in Singapore. Casual contact (hugging, handshakes, sharing toilet seats, swimming pools) does not spread STDs.
Common STDs in Singapore
Below is a reference list of the STDs most commonly seen at our clinic, grouped by the type of pathogen that causes them. Each condition links to a dedicated page covering symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.
Chlamydia
Bacterial · often asymptomaticBacterial infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, Singapore's most commonly reported STD. Often causes no symptoms, so many infections go undetected without routine testing. Spreads through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex. If untreated, can cause pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.
Full guide on chlamydia →Gonorrhoea
Bacterial · multi-siteBacterial infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, affecting the urethra, cervix, throat, or rectum. Symptoms include discharge, burning urination, and pelvic pain, though asymptomatic cases are common. Spreads through unprotected sexual contact. Antibiotic resistance is rising globally, making early detection important.
Full guide on gonorrhoea →Syphilis
Bacterial · stage-progressiveBacterial infection caused by Treponema pallidum, progressing through primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary stages. Primary stage presents as painless sores; later stages can cause rash, organ damage, and neurological issues. Spreads via direct contact with sores during sexual activity.
Full guide on syphilis →Mycoplasma genitalium
Bacterial · underdiagnosedBacterial infection caused by Mycoplasma genitalium, an increasingly recognised cause of urethritis and cervicitis. Often asymptomatic; when symptoms appear, they include discharge, painful urination, or post-coital bleeding. Spreads through unprotected sex. Not routinely tested in standard STD panels, so specific testing is required.
Full guide on Mgen →Ureaplasma
Bacterial · common commensalBacterial organism (Ureaplasma urealyticum / parvum) commonly found in the genitourinary tract, sometimes causing urethritis, vaginitis, or fertility issues. Can be present without symptoms. Transmission is often sexual. Clinical relevance depends on symptoms and bacterial load; testing is culture-based.
Full guide on ureaplasma →Non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU)
Urethral inflammationUrethral inflammation not caused by gonorrhoea, most often linked to chlamydia, mycoplasma genitalium, or ureaplasma. Symptoms include discharge, burning urination, and itching. Spreads through unprotected sex. Diagnosis is by exclusion and specific testing; partner notification is important.
Full guide on NGU →HIV
Viral · chronic, managedHuman Immunodeficiency Virus, which attacks the body's CD4 immune cells. Early infection often causes no symptoms or a brief flu-like illness. Without treatment, progresses to AIDS over years. Transmitted through unprotected sex, shared needles, or mother-to-child during birth and breastfeeding.
HIV testing & management →Herpes (HSV)
Viral · lifelong, recurrentCaused by Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1) or 2 (HSV-2). Symptoms include painful blisters or ulcers around the genitals or mouth; outbreaks recur over time with varying frequency. Spreads through skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity, sometimes without visible sores.
Full guide on herpes →Genital warts (HPV)
Viral · preventable by vaccineCaused by low-risk strains of Human Papillomavirus (HPV types 6 and 11). Symptoms are flesh-coloured or pink warts on the genital, anal, or oral area. Spreads through skin-to-skin contact. High-risk HPV strains can also cause cervical and anal cancers.
Full guide on genital warts →Hepatitis A
Viral · acute, preventableLiver infection caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV). Symptoms include jaundice, fatigue, nausea, and abdominal pain; most cases resolve without lasting damage. Spreads mainly through contaminated food and water, but also via sexual contact (particularly oral-anal). Fully preventable with the hepatitis A vaccine.
Full guide on hepatitis A →Hepatitis B
Viral · chronic risk, preventableLiver infection caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV). Often asymptomatic; chronic cases can lead to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Spreads through unprotected sex, shared needles, or mother-to-child at birth. Highly preventable via the hepatitis B vaccine, now routine in Singapore's birth-immunisation programme.
Full guide on hepatitis B →Hepatitis C
Viral · now curableLiver infection caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV). Usually asymptomatic for years; long-term chronic infection can cause serious liver disease. Spreads mainly through blood: shared needles, unsterile medical or tattoo equipment. Sexual transmission is less common than for hepatitis B.
Full guide on hepatitis C →Trichomoniasis
Parasitic · often asymptomaticParasitic infection caused by the protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis. In women, symptoms include frothy discharge, itching, and pain during urination; men are often asymptomatic carriers. Spreads through unprotected sexual contact. Untreated infection can increase susceptibility to HIV and cause complications in pregnancy.
Full guide on trichomoniasis →Candida / thrush
Fungal · often mistaken for STDFungal infection caused by Candida albicans. Symptoms include thick white vaginal discharge, itching, and soreness in women; redness and itching in men. Not strictly sexually transmitted (often triggered by antibiotics, pregnancy, or hormonal changes) but commonly mistaken for an STD.
Full guide on candida →Bacterial vaginosis (BV)
Bacterial imbalanceImbalance in vaginal bacteria, with overgrowth of Gardnerella vaginalis. Symptoms include thin grey-white discharge with a fishy odour, especially after sex. Not strictly an STD but closely linked to sexual activity. Can increase the risk of other infections, including chlamydia and HIV, if left untreated.
Full guide on BV →When should you get an STD test?
Many STDs cause no symptoms in the early stages, which means you can have and transmit an infection without knowing. Routine STD testing is recommended in Singapore if any of the following apply:
- You've had unprotected sex with a new partner
- Your partner has tested positive for an STD
- You have symptoms: unusual discharge, genital sores, pelvic pain, or rash
- You're starting a new relationship and want a baseline screening
- It's been 12 months or more since your last test
- You've had multiple partners in the past 12 months
- You're planning pregnancy (for both partners)
Testing windows. Chlamydia and gonorrhoea can typically be detected two weeks after exposure. Our HIV 4th-generation antigen/antibody combination test detects HIV from around three weeks post-exposure, per CDC HIV testing guidance. Syphilis antibody tests are most accurate four to six weeks after exposure. Singapore's HealthHub STI programme provides additional background on common STDs and when to test.
Urgent situations. If you may have been exposed to HIV, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) must be started within 72 hours to be effective.
Who's at higher risk?
STDs can affect anyone who is sexually active, but certain factors increase exposure risk and make regular testing more important.
- New or multiple sexual partners: each new partner adds risk, particularly if their testing history is unknown
- Inconsistent condom use: condoms reduce but don't eliminate transmission for skin-contact STDs like HPV and herpes
- Men who have sex with men (MSM): higher rates of HIV, syphilis, and anorectal infections in this group
- Sex workers and their clients: higher exposure frequency warrants more frequent testing
- Previous STD diagnosis: having had one increases risk of others; reinfection is common
- Shared injecting equipment: primary risk factor for HIV and hepatitis C
- Travel and new partners abroad: STD rates and resistance patterns vary by country
Baseline screening
Not sure if you need a test? A baseline screening is a good starting point, with no symptoms required. Consultation is clinically focused, confidential, and covers only what's needed to pick the right panel.
Book a Screening →STD testing at Mediway
Our STD testing service covers the full range of common infections seen in Singapore, from single-test screens to comprehensive panels. Testing is performed on-site at our clinic at The Riverwalk, with same-day consultations usually available and results typically within one to three business days. Consultation is clinically focused, covering only the questions needed to select the correct panel.
For panels, pricing, result timelines, and the full visit flow, see our STD testing service page.
Understanding your STD test results
STD test results usually fall into one of three categories. A negative result does not guarantee you're STD-free forever; it only covers the period up to the window tested.
Negative
No infection detected within the window period. If your last exposure was very recent, a repeat test after the full window may be recommended.
Positive
Infection detected. Not an emergency: most STDs are treatable, many fully curable. Our team talks you through treatment and partner notification.
Inconclusive
Result not clearly positive or negative, for example very early infection or a cross-reactive antibody pattern. Repeat or confirmatory testing recommended.
STD treatment at Mediway
If your test returns a positive result, most common STDs in Singapore are treatable, and many are fully curable. Treatment is provided directly at our clinic (no external referral needed) and includes both bacterial STD medication and viral STD management.
For medication protocols, wart removal options, partner notification, and follow-up, see our STD treatment page.
Book Treatment Consultation →Your privacy, fully protected
Testing and treatment for STDs can feel sensitive, which is why our clinic is set up to protect your privacy end-to-end.
- Discreet locationBasement level, shared medical floor inside The Riverwalk. No street-front clinic.
- No records shared with insurers or employers by defaultSTD test results are not shared with insurers, employers, or other third parties unless you specifically request it. Note: positive results for certain notifiable infections (HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and acute hepatitis A, B and C) are reported to MOH under Singapore’s Infectious Diseases Act. This is a legal requirement separate from insurance disclosure; negative results are never reported.
- Flexible communicationResults by phone, WhatsApp, or email, based on your preference.
- Self-pay optionPay privately without using any insurance or corporate benefit.
- PDPA-compliant handlingData managed per Singapore's Personal Data Protection Act. See our Privacy Policy.
Our clinical team follows PDPA and MOH confidentiality standards. If you have questions about privacy before booking, please speak to our team on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
01 How often should I get tested for STDs?
02 Can I have an STD without showing any signs or symptoms?
03 What happens during an STD test?
04 Can STDs be cured?
05 What are the most common STDs and how are they transmitted?
06 Is STD testing painful?
07 Do I need to bring anything to my appointment?
08 Will my insurance company know I got tested?
09 How long are STD test results valid?
10 What if my partner refuses to get tested?
Ready to get tested?
Confidential STD testing at our clinic at The Riverwalk, with same-day appointments available.
Directions
Located in central Singapore, just a 2-minute walk from Clarke Quay MRT.
Mon–Fri before 5/6pm: $2.00 for 1st hr, $1.00 for next subsequent 30min from 7am to 5pm
Mon–Fri after 5/6pm: $3.21/entry from 5pm to 7am the following day
Sat: $2.00 for 1st hr, $1.00 for next subsequent 30min from 7am to 5pm, $3.21/entry from 5pm to 7am the following day
Sun/PH: $3.21/entry from 7am to 7am the following day
Exit E. 2-minute walk along the river towards The Riverwalk building. We are at #B1-26/29.