Stress and the Immune System

Stress can slow down the healing of wounds by 24 to 40 percent due to its link to suppression of the immune system. In a study, 11 dental students had a punch biopsy wound performed on their hard palate twice. The first biopsy was during summer vacation and the second was 3 days before a major examination. The wounds healed 40 percent more slowly during the stressful period before the examination than during vacation. For every person in the study, the healing time was longer when the wound occurred during high stress versus low stress ( Hooley et al., 2019).

Stress and the Immune System

Stress can have a negative impact on the immune system, making us more susceptible to illness. This is because stress can disrupt the production of cytokines, which are small protein molecules that serve as chemical messengers and allow immune cells to communicate with each other.

There are two main types of cytokines: proinflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Proinflammatory cytokines help to amplify the immune response, while anti-inflammatory cytokines help to dampen the response.

Under conditions of stress, the production of proinflammatory cytokines is disrupted. This can lead to a decrease in the number of immune cells and a decrease in the production of antibodies, which are proteins that help to fight infection.

As a result, people who are under stress are more likely to get sick. They are also more likely to have slower wound healing and to have more severe symptoms when they are sick.

References

Hooley, J. M., Nock, M. K., & Butcher, J. N. (2019). Abnormal Psychology (18th ed.). Pearson Education (US). https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9780135191033

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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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