In recent years, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) has gained significant recognition as an effective HIV prevention method. While awareness has increased, many questions still surround PrEP usage. This article addresses the most common queries about PrEP, including how it works, dosing schedules, the importance of undetectable viral loads, and other key aspects.
How does PrEP prevent HIV infection?
PrEP works by blocking HIV’s ability to replicate and spread in the body. The medication inhibits reverse transcriptase, a crucial enzyme the virus needs to multiply. By disrupting this process, PrEP prevents viral reproduction and ultimately eliminates HIV from the system.
Is regular PrEP use necessary for effectiveness?
Yes, consistent daily use is essential for PrEP to work effectively. Maintaining a regular dosing schedule, ideally at the same time each day, ensures adequate medication levels in your system for continuous HIV protection.
Is lifelong PrEP use required?
PrEP duration depends on individual HIV risk factors. Those at sustained high risk may need long-term or indefinite use, while others can reduce or discontinue PrEP as their risk decreases. It’s important to understand PrEP is an ongoing preventive measure, not a one-time treatment.
Does PrEP protect against other STIs?
While highly effective against HIV, PrEP doesn’t protect against other sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, or syphilis. Additional protective measures are needed for comprehensive STI prevention.
Can PrEP be used for single-night protection?
No, PrEP requires consistent use to establish protective medication levels in the body. Single-night use doesn’t provide adequate HIV protection as the necessary drug concentration hasn’t been achieved.
What happens if I miss a PrEP dose?
While consistent dosing is ideal, an occasional missed dose doesn’t immediately compromise protection. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and resume your regular schedule. However, frequent missed doses can reduce effectiveness.
Can I share PrEP with an HIV-positive partner?
Never share PrEP medication. Sharing can cause allergic reactions, side effects, or interfere with other medications. Each individual’s treatment plan should be determined by a healthcare professional.
Who should consider taking PrEP?
PrEP is recommended for individuals at increased HIV risk, including:
- Men who have sex with men
- Transgender individuals having sex with men or with a history of unprotected sex
- Heterosexual individuals with HIV-positive partners, those in sex work, or with histories of condomless sex
- People who inject drugs or share needles and injection equipment
What types of PrEP are available?
The most common PrEP treatment combines two medications: emtricitabine and tenofovir. This combination is available as generic medication or under the brand name Truvada.
What does U=U mean?
U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable) means people with HIV who maintain an undetectable viral load through antiretroviral therapy cannot sexually transmit the virus. An undetectable viral load means HIV levels are too low to detect with standard tests.
Should condoms be used with PrEP?
Yes, condom use remains important even when taking PrEP. While PrEP is highly effective against HIV, it doesn’t prevent other STIs. Additionally, though rare, PrEP isn’t 100% effective against HIV transmission.
Is PrEP available through MedsBase?
Yes, MedsBase offers convenient PrEP access without requiring doctor visits or prescriptions. Orders are discreetly delivered to your door.
What is the PrEP Care Continuum?
The PrEP Care Continuum outlines stages of PrEP use to help healthcare providers improve access and retention. The stages are:
- Awareness – Educating about PrEP
- Access – Ensuring PrEP availability
- Initiation – Starting PrEP for eligible individuals
- Adherence – Maintaining proper medication use
- Retention – Providing ongoing PrEP support
What are acute HIV infection symptoms?
Early HIV infection may cause flu-like symptoms appearing 2-4 weeks after exposure, including:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Skin rashes
- Headaches
- Sore throat
- Muscle/joint pain
- Diarrhea
- Nausea/vomiting
How does nPEP differ from PrEP?
While both prevent HIV, nPEP (non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis) is taken after potential exposure, typically within 72 hours, for 28 days. PrEP is taken daily before potential exposure as ongoing prevention.
Sources
https://www.greaterthan.org/prep-faq/
https://www.prepwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/z-fold_FAQbrochurePrEPsa.pdf