Could PrEP be the key to Reducing Your HIV Exposure?

If you’ve ever wondered if there is another way to protect yourself from contracting HIV besides condoms, there is an option.  PrEP, or Pre-exposure prophylaxis, is a preventive treatment for individuals at high risk of HIV infection, and it’s an option worth exploring. 

Your first question is probably does it work? When PrEP medication is taken consistently, it can not only reduce the risk of contracting HIV from sexual exposure by about 99%, but it can also decrease the likelihood of contracting HIV by at least 74% within people who inject drugs according to the CDC (CDC). This is an incredible step into the future, one in which we can look towards a possible end to the HIV epidemic. 

There are two forms of PrEP is available. One is a daily oral pill, and one in the form of a long-acting injectable, which is administered by a professional every two months. The pill is the more common of the two, because of convenience, but the injectable stands as a less frequent option for those who may prefer it over consistent usage. It is important to know PrEP is not PEP, or post-exposure prophylaxis, an emergency medication taken after a potential HIV exposure to prevent the virus from establishing an infection in the body. 

Prep isn’t available over the counter. You must talk to a healthcare provider about it, before you can begin the treatment. Plus, its effectiveness depends on many aspects. Consistent use, how frequently you engage in sexual activity, current health status and medication risks all play a part in how successful it can be for you.  

Beyond individual protection, PrEP contributes to broader public health for entire communities. According to the national library of medicine, studies estimate that PrEP use has prevented thousands of potential HIV infections, with higher coverage leading to even greater reductions (PubMed). Incorporating PrEP into HIV prevention strategies is a major advancement in public health and is something that you should think carefully about, understand its pros and cons and decide whether it might be beneficial to you.  

Access to PrEP has improved over the years, with most, if not all insurance plans covering the medication, and in the case you don’t have coverage through healthcare, the government has programs in place for access to PrEP with no out of pocket costs to you, such as THEM. 

To learn more about PrEP, watch the video attached below.