Medically reviewed by Jeffrey Kwong, DNP, MPH, AGPCNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN
Round 7,000 ladies in america are recognized with HIV every year. However the excellent news is that there are two methods, known as PrEP and PEP, that may allow you to keep HIV damaging. Each choices require you to take antiretroviral medicine, which might forestall the virus from taking maintain after it enters your physique.
So how have you learnt if you happen to ought to take PrEP or PEP?
PrEP, which stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis, is a tablet or a shot you are taking earlier than you’re uncovered to HIV to stop an infection. It’s type of like the contraception tablet for HIV.
PEP, which stands for post-exposure prophylaxis, is type of just like the morning after tablet. You are taking it after you’ve been uncovered to stop an infection.
Who ought to take PrEP?
PrEP is for people who find themselves damaging for HIV however have a excessive threat of getting HIV. You’re at excessive threat when you’ve got vaginal or anal intercourse with no condom or share needles. You probably have had one other sexually transmitted an infection (STI) inside the previous 6 months or have a associate who has detectable or untreated HIV, your threat goes up.
How efficient is PrEP?
PrEP reduces the possibility of getting HIV from intercourse by practically 99% if taken accurately. PrEP has been proven to chop the chance of growing HIV from injection drug use by about 74%. PrEP doesn’t shield towards different STIs or being pregnant. Condoms present safety towards STIs and being pregnant.
How do I exploit PrEP?
In case you’re making an attempt to stop getting HIV by way of intercourse, you might have the choice of taking PrEP in a every day tablet or a shot each two months. In case you’re making an attempt to stop HIV from injection drug use, capsules are the really useful methodology.
How do I get on PrEP?
PrEP is obtainable by prescription solely, so contact your healthcare supplier (HCP) if you wish to get on the drugs. Clarify the the reason why you’re involved about HIV threat and don’t be afraid to be trustworthy along with your HCP. It’s a must to be HIV damaging to go on PrEP.
How lengthy does it take for PrEP to be efficient?
Relying on the type of publicity you’ve got had, it could actually take anyplace from seven to 21 days for PrEP to be efficient. Your HCP may give you detailed data relying in your particular state of affairs.
Is PrEP secure?
PrEP is secure to make use of, though some folks could expertise negative effects, together with nausea, diarrhea, complications, tiredness and upset abdomen. As you proceed to take PrEP, negative effects often cease. For individuals who obtain injectable PrEP, soreness on the injection web site could happen.
Can ladies take PrEP?
Anybody can take PrEP. Nevertheless, many ladies could not know that they’ll use it.
Additionally, well being inequities could imply that ladies of coloration don’t obtain easy accessibility to antiretroviral drug data. Utilizing PrEP is a private selection. It’s a good suggestion to inform your HCP you’re excited about PrEP and wish to talk about whether or not it is smart so that you can use it.
What’s PEP?
PEP is a medication you are taking following a potential publicity to HIV. It’s comparable in that solution to the morning after tablet as a result of it’s used after the publicity. A high-risk publicity to HIV can occur by way of intercourse or sharing needles with somebody who has or could have HIV. PEP can be utilized by individuals who have skilled a sexual assault or healthcare employees who’re poked by a needle.
How do I get PEP?
To get PEP, you need to go to an emergency room or pressing care clinic to be evaluated by a HCP following potential publicity to the virus. Don’t hesitate to go — the earlier you start PEP, the simpler it is going to be.
This useful resource was created with help from Gilead and Merck
From Your Web site Articles
Associated Articles Across the Net
Add Comment