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In America, new HIV-infection rates continuing to rise in many at-risk communities, prevention is the key in getting to zero new HIV infections. A new option in HIV prevention is pre-exposure prophylaxis, also known as PrEP.
PrEP is a powerful HIV prevention tool that, when combined with other prevention methods, can greatly reduce a person’s risk for HIV infection. Prescribed in the form of Truvada, PrEP is taken just once a day and has been shown to reduce a person’s risk for HIV infection by up to 96% when taken consistently.
PrEP is for those who are not HIV positive—it’s a preventative measure against HIV.
Studies have shown that when taken daily, PrEP is highly effective. A recent UK study, known as PROUD, focused on two test groups: half prescribed PrEP at the study’s start in 2012, the other half started at a later date. Those who started later were found to contract HIV by 8.9 %; by contrast those taking PrEP only contracted the virus by 1.3%.
Translation: This is a cut of 86% in the spread of HIV.
Getting started on PrEP is possible for patients with or without insurance coverage and qualifying patients can enroll in an assistance program to pay for the medication.
PrEP is a powerful HIV prevention tool and can be combined with condoms and other prevention methods to provide even greater protection than when used alone.
For more information about PrEP or to get started, visit us here.
Our mission to getting to zero starts with education on preventing new diagnoses daily.
Post by Amy Leonard, Vice President of Public Health Services