WHAT TO DO IF YOU'VE HAD AT-RISK SEX WITH SOMEONE WHO IS HIV+

PEP Must Be Started Within 72 Hours of Possible Exposure to HIV (Conversation Starters, 2023).

 

Talk right away (within 72 hours) to your health care provider, an emergency room doctor, or an urgent care provider about PEP if you think you’ve recently been exposed to HIV (Conversation Starters, 2023) :

🟥during sex (for example, if the condom broke),
🟥through sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment to inject drugs (for example, cookers)
🟥if you’ve been sexually assaulted.

The sooner you start PEP, the better. Every hour counts. If you’re prescribed PEP, you’ll need to take it daily for 28 days (Conversation Starters, 2023) :
🏳️‍🌈PEP is for Emergency Situations
🏳️‍🌈PEP is given after possible exposure to HIV.
🏳️‍🌈PEP is not a substitute for regular use of other HIV prevention.
🏳️‍🌈PEP is not the right choice for people who may be exposed to HIV frequently.
🏳️‍🌈If you are at ongoing risk for HIV, such as through repeated exposures to HIV, talk to your healthcare provider about PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis).

How can I pay for PEP?

Paying for PEP After a Sexual Assault

You may qualify for partial or total reimbursement for medicines and clinical care costs.

Find resources available in your area.

Paying for PEP After an Exposure at Work

Your workplace health insurance or workers’ compensation will usually pay for PEP.

Paying for PEP for Another Reason

If you cannot get insurance coverage, your healthcare provider can apply for free PEP medicines through the medication assistance programs run by the manufacturers.

These requests for assistance can be handled urgently in many cases to avoid a delay in getting medicine (Conversation Starters, 2023).

 Enrollment applications

1. https://services.gileadhiv.com/content/pdf/gilead_enrollment_form.pdf/
2. https://services.gileadhiv.com/content/pdf/gilead_enrollment_form.pdf
3. https://nastad.org/sites/default/files/2021-11/PDF-CPAPA-Form-Fillable-2020.pdf
   

 

References
 

 Conversation Starters. (2023, June 30). Start Talking. Stop HIV. https://www.cdc.gov/stophivtogether/hiv-prevention/pep.html

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(PrEP)

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medication that is recommended for people who are at a high risk of HIV transmission². PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV when taken as prescribed. It reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99% (Workowski, 2021). However, it is important to note that PrEP is less effective when not taken as prescribed (Workowski, 2021).

While PrEP is highly effective in preventing HIV transmission, it does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections (CDC 2020). The CDC recommends using other prevention strategies in addition to PrEP, such as limiting the number of sex partners and correct and consistent use of condoms (CDC 2020).

In conclusion, while PrEP is highly effective in preventing HIV transmission, it does not protect against other STIs. Therefore, it is important to use other prevention strategies in addition to PrEP to reduce the risk of STI transmission. It is always a good idea to discuss your sexual health with a healthcare provider to determine the best prevention strategies for you.

References

CDC. (2020, November 3). PrEP Effectiveness | PrEP | HIV Basics | HIV/AIDS | CDC. Www.cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/prep/prep-effectiveness.html

Workowski, K. A. (2021). Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021. MMWR. Recommendations and Reports, 70(4). https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1

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 The Truth About HIV Treatment

HIV is a virus that attacks the body's immune system. It can be transmitted through blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. There is no cure for HIV, but it can be treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART).

ART is a combination of HIV medicines that work together to suppress the virus. When taken as prescribed, ART can keep the amount of HIV in the blood so low that it is undetectable. This is called an undetectable viral load.

People with an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV to their partners through sex. They also have the same life expectancy as people who do not have HIV.

There are many myths about HIV treatment. Some people believe that ART is too expensive or that it has too many side effects. Others believe that HIV treatment is not necessary if you are not experiencing symptoms.

These myths are not true. ART is affordable and effective. It has few side effects, and it is essential for people with HIV to take it in order to stay healthy and prevent transmission.

If you have HIV, it is important to talk to your doctor about treatment. ART can help you live a long and healthy life.

Here are some additional facts about HIV treatment: