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Everything You Need to Know About PrEP

What is PrEP?

 Once seen as a death sentence, living a normal life with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is possible. However, prevention is still an important goal in the community. Once HIV is present in the body, the virus attacks and weakens the immune system leaving the person susceptible to many illnesses.

 PrEP (Pre-exposure prophylaxis) can be prescribed to you by a physician to reduce the risk of HIV infection by blocking and preventing the spread of the virus. Before the physician can prescribe the medication, you must have tested HIV negative from the 3-6 months that you last had engaged in unprotected sex (oral, anal, vaginal) or injected drugs.

Why should you take PrEP?

    Choosing to be on this medication is empowering. You are taking a stance to protect your body from HIV BEFORE potentially being exposed to the virus. HIV can be spread through:

• Semen or vaginal fluid when engaging in oral, vaginal, or anal sex.
• Blood
• Breast Milk

Who takes PrEP?

If you plan to engage in sex with an HIV positive (+) partner or are planning a pregnancy with an HIV (+) partner. PreEP is mainly taken by MSM (men who have sex with men), transgender women, and heterosexual women. Anyone who wants to protect themselves can talk to a physician to see if they can get prescribe PrEP.

****In case of emergency situations with risk of exposure to HIV such as sexual assault, PrEP should not be taken. Instead, PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) can be prescribed to reduce the chance of infection. PEP is taken AFTER possible exposure to HIV and must be taken with within 72 hours, either once or twice daily for 28 days.

What precautions should I be aware about?

DO continue follow-ups with your physician for an HIV and STI tests every three (3) months.

DO take the pills daily as directed. If taken correctly, the medication has a higher chance of protecting you from the virus.

DO continue to take other preventative measures.

DON’T stop wearing a condom. PrEP will not protect you from contracting STI’s such as chlamydia & gonorrhea. Plus, using a condom alongside with PrEP will increase the chance of preventing HIV.

DON’T share your PrEP pills with anyone else. Taking PrEP that was not prescribed for you can bad for your health.

Be aware that PrEP doesn’t take effect immediately! The CDC states that PrEP will provide for receptive anal sex after 7 days, and after 20 days for oral & vaginal sex or injection drug use. Nausea is a common side effect when taking this medication, but there are no known serious side effects.

Check out https://www.worldaidsday.org/ to learn more about HIV/AIDS and to see how you can fight the stigma.

To learn more visit:

http://www.utahaids.org/

http://www.aids.org

http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/