In the world of HIV prevention, there’s a term that you might have come across called PrEP. It stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis, and it’s a medication that can significantly reduce your chances of getting infected with HIV.
PrEP is a type of antiretroviral medication, which means it works by stopping the virus from reproducing in your body. When taken consistently, PrEP can reduce the risk of getting HIV through sex by up to 99 percent. That’s right – 99 percent! However, it doesn’t protect against other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or pregnancy.
So who should take PrEP? The short answer is anyone who’s at high risk of contracting HIV. This includes people who are in a serodiscordant relationship (where one partner has HIV), those who engage in unprotected sex with multiple partners or have recently had an STI, and those who inject drugs.
If you think you might be at risk for HIV and want to start taking PrEP, make sure to talk to your doctor first. They’ll need to run some tests before prescribing the medication to ensure that you’re not already infected with the virus.
It’s also important to note that PrEP isn’t a “one and done” solution – you’ll need to take it every day for as long as you’re at risk for HIV. And while most people tolerate it well, some may experience side effects like nausea or headaches.
But overall, PrEP has been shown to be incredibly effective at preventing new cases of HIV. So if you’re someone who’s worried about contracting the virus but still wants to enjoy an active sex life or continue using drugs (safely), consider talking to your doctor about whether PrEP might be right for you.