HIV
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This virus weakens the body’s immune system and makes it harder to fight off diseases. HIV testing, treatment medications, and prevention medications and behaviors are all important for preventing and managing HIV. See the topics below for more information.
What is PrEP?
PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. It’s a daily pill that can help prevent HIV. If you don’t have HIV, taking PrEP every day can lower your chances of getting HIV from sex by more than 90%. PrEP is also known by the brand name Truvada.
Who can take PrEP?
PrEP is for people who don’t have HIV, and are at higher risk for getting HIV. You may want to talk with a doctor or nurse about PrEP if you:
- Don’t regularly use condoms.
- Have a sexual partner who has HIV (sometimes called serodiscordant, serodifferent, magnetic, or mixed status couples).
- Have a sexual partner who is at high risk for getting HIV (like if they have anal or vaginal sex with other people without condoms, or they’re an injection drug user).
- Have anal or vaginal sex with many partners, especially if you don’t use condoms regularly.
- Recently had another STD (like chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis).
- Do sex work that includes vaginal or anal sex.
- Have injected drugs, shared needles, or been in treatment for drug use in the past 6 months.
If you’re at high risk for HIV and you’re pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding, PrEP may also help you and your baby avoid getting HIV.
Your doctor or nurse will talk with you about your situation to figure out if PrEP is right for you. It’s important to be honest so you can get the best health care for you — doctors and nurses are there to help, not judge. The more accurate information they have, the better they can help you.
PrEP isn’t the same thing as PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis). PEP is a short-term treatment for people who’ve already been exposed to HIV within the past 72 hours. PrEP is an ongoing daily pill for people who may be exposed to HIV in the future.
Other Resources
- What is PrEP http://www.whatisprep.org/
- Get help paying for PrEP:
- Getting PrEPed- how to get PrEP flowchart https://www.projectinform.org/prep-chart/
PEP stands for post exposure prophylaxis. PEP is a series of pills you can start taking very soon after you’ve been exposed to HIV that lowers your chances of getting it. But you have to start PEP within 72 hours, or 3 days, after you were exposed to HIV, or it won’t work. The sooner you start, the better it works.
You take PEP 1-2 times a day for at least 28 days. The medicines used in PEP are called antiretroviral medications (ART). These medicines work by stopping HIV from spreading through your body.
Who can use PEP?
PEP is for people who may have been exposed to HIV in the last 3 days. PEP might be right for you if:
- You had sex with someone who may have HIV and didn’t use a condom, or the condom broke
- You were sexually assaulted
- You shared needles or works (like cotton, cookers, or water) with someone who may have HIV
If you were exposed to HIV in the last 3 days and want PEP, see a nurse or doctor or go to the emergency room immediately. Timing is really important. You must start PEP as soon as you can after being exposed to HIV for it to work.
PEP is for emergencies. It can’t take the place of proven, ongoing ways to prevent HIV — like using condoms, taking PrEP (a daily pill that lowers your chances of getting HIV), and not sharing needles or works. If you know you may be exposed to HIV often (like if you have a sexual partner or partners who may be HIV-positive), talk to your nurse or doctor about PrEP.
More Resources
How to get PEP
- http://getprepla.com/pep/get-pep-now/
- http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/dhsp/PEP-Patient.htm
- http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/dhsp/PEP-Patient.htm
Latex Barriers can be very effective at preventing STDs that are transmitted through bodily fluids, if used correctly.