Pre exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), is a medication that is highly effective at reducing your risk of HIV infection. It is like the "birth control pill" for HIV. When taken once a day, PrEP can reduce your risk of HIV infection from unprotected sex by about 99%, and from injection drug use by about 74%. PrEP is much less effective if not taken consistently.
How does PrEP work? Once there is enough PrEP in your bloodstream, the presence of the medication prevents the HIV virus from attaching to the immune cells and replicating. This means that if you are exposed to HIV, it cannot spread and you do not become infected. If you do not take PrEP every day, there is a lower amount of the medication in your bloodstream and it is therefore less effective at blocking the virus. PrEP is most effective at preventing HIV from anal sex after you have taken it daily for 7 days, and 21 days for vaginal sex.
Do I still need to use condoms during sex? The important point to remember is that PrEP only protects you from HIV. There are other sexually transmitted infections (eg. chlamydia and gonorrhea) that you are only protected from if you use condoms. CHIP can help you talk through your different options in terms of risk-reduction when it comes to sexual health. Join us for one of our Social Events or ask us a question!
Who is PrEP for? PrEP is for individuals without HIV who are at risk of being exposed to the virus. Some guidelines as to who would be considered at risk of HIV exposure include individuals who:
Interested in PrEP? Want to talk to a PrEP Navigator for more information and to see if PrEP is right for you? Get in touch with us and we will answer any questions you have, guide you through the process, and help get you started on the medication, if you decide that's best for you. All discussions are completely confidential.
How does PrEP work? Once there is enough PrEP in your bloodstream, the presence of the medication prevents the HIV virus from attaching to the immune cells and replicating. This means that if you are exposed to HIV, it cannot spread and you do not become infected. If you do not take PrEP every day, there is a lower amount of the medication in your bloodstream and it is therefore less effective at blocking the virus. PrEP is most effective at preventing HIV from anal sex after you have taken it daily for 7 days, and 21 days for vaginal sex.
Do I still need to use condoms during sex? The important point to remember is that PrEP only protects you from HIV. There are other sexually transmitted infections (eg. chlamydia and gonorrhea) that you are only protected from if you use condoms. CHIP can help you talk through your different options in terms of risk-reduction when it comes to sexual health. Join us for one of our Social Events or ask us a question!
Who is PrEP for? PrEP is for individuals without HIV who are at risk of being exposed to the virus. Some guidelines as to who would be considered at risk of HIV exposure include individuals who:
- have a sexual partner(s) with HIV
- do not consistently use condoms during sex
- have been diagnosed with an STI in the past 6 months
- have used multiple courses of PEP
- have a sexual partner(s) who injects drugs
- injects drugs using shared needles, syringes, or other equipment
Interested in PrEP? Want to talk to a PrEP Navigator for more information and to see if PrEP is right for you? Get in touch with us and we will answer any questions you have, guide you through the process, and help get you started on the medication, if you decide that's best for you. All discussions are completely confidential.
Below are some additional resources about PrEP:
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