Zorah offers PrEP and PEP for patient’s at risk for HIV infection. PrEP and PEP are medicines to prevent HIV.
PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. It is for people who don’t already have HIV but are at risk of getting it. PrEP is medicine that can reduce this risk. It can either be a pill that you take every day or an injection that you get every two months.
PEP stands for post-exposure prophylaxis. PEP is for people who have possibly been exposed to HIV. It is only for emergency situations. PEP must be started within 72 hours after a possible exposure to HIV.
Who is a good candidate for PrEP:
People who may benefit from PrEP therapy are those who have had anal or vaginal sex in the last 6 months and people who:
- Have a sexual partner who has HIV with a detectable viral load or an unknown viral load
- Haven’t used a condom on a consistent basis during sex
- Have contracted a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the past 6 months
It is also recommended for people who inject drugs and:
- Share needles (syringes)
- Have an injection partner who has tested positive for HIV
PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV when it is taken on a regular schedule. According to CDC, these medications, when taken regularly, lower the chances of contracting HIV from sex by around 99 percent and around 74 percent in people who inject drugs.
However, the medications are not effective right away. You need to take them daily for at least 7 days for maximum protection from HIV with receptive anal sex.
The bottom line – talk with a healthcare professional at Zorah for counseling on HIV prevention and your health!