Sex. Yes sex. Although still quite taboo in today's society, it is a natural part of life. As consenting adults, when engaging in not-so-PG activities, it is absolutely vital to keep each other safe. While this safety encapsulates many aspects, this article in specific will delve into preventative measures for sexual healthcare, more specifically, measures not so frequently discussed alongside more popular items like condoms.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a potentially deadly disease that, if left untreated, can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). As such, when sexually active, it is incredibly important to not only protect oneself but also others from the spread of HIV through protective and preventive measures such as PrEP.

Benjamin Ryan, “Survey of Gay and Bi PrEP Users” https://www.poz.com/article/survey-gay-bi-prep-users-finds-1-10-share-medication, accessed May 2021.

What is PrEP?

PrEP stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. This can be broken down into pre, meaning before, exposure, in this case, being coming into contact with HIV, and prophylaxis meaning an action (aka treatment) taken to prevent disease or infection. In emergency situations in which an individual is exposed to HIV, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is recommended to prevent infection.

What types are there?

There are currently two types of medications approved for use as PrEP, those being Descovy® and Truvada®. Descovy is not yet, “for use in people assigned female at birth who are at risk of getting HIV from vaginal sex, because its effectiveness has not been studied.” Truvada, on the other hand, is approved as a PrEP for all people at risk of getting HIV as long as they weigh at least 77 pounds. For both medications it is very important to note two things:

1. Before taking Descovy and Truvada the individual must be HIV negative.

2. These medications do not serve to prevent pregnancy or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Is PrEP effective?

In short, yes PrEP is highly effective in preventing HIV. According to the center for disease control and prevention (CDC), “PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99% when taken as prescribed.” Regarding the prevention of HIV from drug injection, “PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV by at least 74% when taken as prescribed.” To achieve the maximum protection against HIV through bottoming, or in more technical terms “receptive anal sex,” PrEP must be taken for 7 days consecutively prior to engagment. Regarding both injection drug use and receptive vaginal sex, PrEP achieves maximal protection around 21 days of consecutive use. For those who prefer more numerical statistics, a iPrEx study found that:

• For people who take 7 PrEP pills per week, their estimated level of protection is 99%.

• For people who take 4 PrEP pills per week, their estimated level of protection is 96%.

• For people who take 2 PrEP pills per week, their estimated level of protection is 76%.

What is PEP?

PEP is meant for use after possible exposure to HIV and must be started within 72 hours of exposure. After taking to a healthcare provider, urgent care provider, or emergency room doctor, it must be taken promptly. As stated by the CDC, it is important to note the following for PEP:

1. PEP is given after a possible exposure to HIV.

2. PEP is not a substitute for regular use of other HIV prevention.

3. PEP is not the right choice for people who may be exposed to HIV frequently.

4. If you are at ongoing risk for HIV, such as through repeated exposures to HIV, talk to your health care provider about PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis).

Please consult a doctor or physician if you plan to go on PrEP. Staying healthy mentally, emotionally, and physically is extremely important; addressing ways of doing so is pivotal to our wellbeing. Additionally, there is a lot of misinformation regarding sexual health so when doing research, be sure to look into credible sources for the best option to keep you and others safe. When sexually active, taking precautionary measures not only protects you, but also everyone you encounter as well as whoever they encounter. To ensure good sexual health, safe sex should be practiced, and by utilizing preventative measures such as dental dams, condoms, and PrEP, much of the risk can be mitigated and lives can be protected.

What are some PrEP Resources?

For answers to other frequently asked questions, you can visit:

• https://prepfacts.org/prep/the-questions/ 

For more info from the CDC on HIV risk and prevention, you can visit the following:

• https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/risk/index.html

For info on how to get started on PrEP please visit the following:

• https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/prep/starting-stopping-prep.html