Should you consider HIV PrEP to prevent HIV and lower new HIV infections? The answer is yes. When it comes to preventing HIV transmission, PrEP medications are the popular choice. Learn how HIV PrEP can reduce the impact of new HIV infections in this article.  Talk to our specialist for infectious diseases if you have any concerns.

HIV PrEP and Its Impact on Reducing New Infections

Here are a few commonly asked questions about how HIV PrEP can reduce new HIV infections:

1. Can PrEP really prevent HIV?

Ans. PrEP is an immensely powerful tool prescribed to stop HIV from taking place and spreading in your body. When taken correctly, it can lower the risk of getting HIV from sex by 99% (by taking pill form). If you take this drug from injection, then the chances of getting HIV infection are lowered by 74%.

2. Can anyone who’s at risk of HIV take PrEP?

Ans. The answer is yes. Anyone can get infected with HIV despite their age, gender, sexual orientation, and who they have sex with. PrEP is for anyone who is at substantial risk of getting HIV (which can be transmitted through semen, breast milk, blood, and vaginal and rectal fluids).

If you’re sexually active and don’t have HIV, ask your doctor whether PrEP is right for you. Recently, doctors have discussed PrEP with all their sexually active patients. They may recommend PrEP if:

• You have had anal or vaginal sex in the past 6 months with a partner who has HIV, without condoms every time you’ve had sex, or may be diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the past 6 months.
• You use injectable drugs and the partner you share your injection, needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment with has HIV.
• If you have been prescribed post-exposure prophylaxis (an emergency medication used to prevent HIV after exposure) and due to any above situations, you have taken PEP more than once.

3. Is PrEP safe for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding?

Ans. The answer is yes, this medication is not harmful for you and your baby during the time you are pregnant or breastfeeding. However, research only recommends PrEP pills instead of injections at these times.

That’s why you should talk with your OB-GYN about whether you should take PrEP and get pregnant or if you are really at risk for HIV or not. They can help you determine whether you need to take PrEP during pregnancy or after you deliver.

4. Is PrEP safe for a person who’s on hormone therapy?

Ans. Yes, it is safe to take PrEP while on hormonal therapy because it doesn’t affect your hormonal levels. So, you can take hormone therapy to treat menopausal symptoms or as part of gender-affirming care without worrying about any side effects.

5. Can you choose pills or injections for PrEP drugs?

Ans. Yes, you can choose between pills and injections depending on what works best for you, according to your lifestyle. A pill was introduced in 2012 that needs to be taken once a day while an injection is approved by the U.S. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is injected every 2 months.

So, if you don’t mind taking medicine once a day, then pills are a better option for you. If you don’t want to take PrEP every day, the injection will be a better fit. Keep in mind that PrEP doesn’t work right away. You must take pills every day for at least 7 days to build its effectiveness against HIV exposure from anal sex. For vaginal sex and injection drug use, it takes at least 20 days to build up that protection. Also, PrEP doesn’t prevent other STIs or unwanted pregnancies, so you should continue to use condoms and birth control to protect you from STIs or unwanted pregnancies.

6. Can you start or stop PrEP as you need?

Ans. While you can take PrEP at more than one point in your life, as your circumstances change, you should be on PrEP for as long as you’re at risk for HIV and want to stay HIV-negative. You can start or stop PrEP on your own, you need to talk with your doctor first.

While you’re on PrEP, you should visit your doctor every 3 months or so. Your doctor will do bloodwork to test you for HIV and other STIs to ensure you’re healthy overall (the two main concerns are kidney function and bone health). Those follow-up visits allow you to reassess whether you still need PrEP. If you decide to stop taking PrEP, then wait for at least one month since your last possible exposure to HIV.

7. Is PrEP affordable and accessible?

Ans. The answer is yes. For years, the excessive cost of PrEP has made it impossible for many people to enjoy its benefits. Now, most health insurance and Medicaid plans cover PrEP, which is a big step toward improving access to important medicines. In case you are uninsured or underinsured, you can look into different programs that help you reduce the cost of PrEP and related healthcare services.

When it comes to new HIV infections, PrEP medicine is still effective in preventing HIV. It’s highly effective in preventing HIV from holding and growing in your body. You just need to make sure that you take this medicine as prescribed by the doctor to get its full benefits in protection against HIV transmission.

Need help with HIV infection or prevention options, visit our infectious disease specialist in Brooklyn clinic to get professional medical help. Call us to book your appointment now!!!!!

Visit our team of Specialists for infectious diseases at Doral Health & Wellness on 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212. We also offer other services, such as vaccinations, immunizations, and blood testing. Call us on 13473845690 to get a consultation from our clinic or log on to https://doralhw.org/.