PrEP and PEP

What is PrEP?

Here are some great resources to learn more about PrEP!

• louisianahealthhub.org/prep-overview
• hiv.gov/hiv-basics/hiv-prevention/using-hiv-medication-to-reduce-risk/pre-exposure-prophylaxis
• cdc.gov/hiv/basics/prep.html
• greaterthan.org/PrEP-HIV-prevention/
• greaterthan.org/askthehivdoc-all-about-prep-videos/

PrEP is an abbreviation for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. It’s a one-pill-a-day prescription for people who are not living with HIV but may be at a greater risk of contracting HIV. This may include people who:

• Have a sexual partner with HIV
• Are more affected (or whose sexual partners are more affected) by HIV, including gay and bisexual men, trans women, and women of color
• Use injection drugs
• Do not regularly use condoms
• Have had a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the past six months

While PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV, it does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Condoms help provide protection against other STIs - in particular, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis.

If you think PrEP could be right for you, give Venita Grimes, our PrEP coordinator a call to set up an appointment.

What is PEP?

PEP is an abbreviation for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis.Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is an emergency option to reduce the risk of contracting HIV after a known or possible exposure to HIV. PEP involves starting a triple-drug combination of HIV drugs within 72 hours of the possible exposure and staying on the daily regimen for a month. Time is of the essence for PEP treatment!

This can happen if you have unprotected sex with someone who is living with HIV and that person’s viral load is not undetectable.

Any health care provider can prescribe PEP, but not all may be familiar with it. If yours is not, or you don't have a regular provider, you should be able to get it from an emergency room. If the ER doesn’t understand your request, tell them to follow the same protocol as they would if they had a needle stick.

Here are some resources to learn more about PEP:

• hiv.gov/hiv-basics/hiv-prevention/using-hiv-medication-to-reduce-risk/post-exposure-prophylaxis
• cdc.gov/hiv/basics/pep.html
• https://www.greaterthan.org/athd_post_hook_up_pep/

If you have been exposed to HIV and need PEP treatment, immediately call our office to make arrangements. If our office is closed, please go to the nearest emergency room – be sure to start PEP within 72 hours of your possible exposure.