Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is the best way to avoid contracting HIV.
It involves the regular use of antiretroviral drugs. This type of prophylaxis is recommended by the WHO as an additional method of avoiding HIV infection especially in people who are at increased risk. It is the first drug that protects against HIV infection.
PrEP prevention – what is it?
Pre-exposure prophylaxis of HIV infection (PrEP) is a method that protects seronegative people (i.e. those who have not yet been exposed to HIV) from infection. Studies show that it is effective in up to 92% of cases. This type of therapy is mainly aimed at people who are exposed to the virus more than others (e.g. they are in a relationship with a person infected with HIV). The therapy consists of taking a tablet that contains two antiretroviral drugs – tenofovir disoproxil and emtricitabine. Both substances interfere with the action of an enzyme necessary for the virus to multiply in the body.
PrEP prevention – for whom?
This type of therapy is intended primarily for people who are at high risk of infection. Prevention should be undertaken primarily by people who:
- do not use a condom when having sexual contact with an HIV-infected person
- have multiple sexual encounters with people of unknown medical condition
- have sexual intercourse with multiple partners
- engage in risky sexual behavior (e.g., intercourse with a stranger without a condom)
- have sex with an HIV-positive partner who is not on antiretroviral treatment
- have a sexual partner who has intercourse with many people
- are infected with other venereal diseases (e.g. syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia)
- want to become pregnant with an HIV-infected partner (PrEP should be an additional protection)
Pre-treatment recommendations
Before starting therapy, you should abstain from sexual contact for a month. It is also necessary to perform tests such as testing for HIV and other venereal diseases, blood count, general urine test, creatinine level test and liver tests. A person who wants to start therapy should go to a clinic that provides such a service and consult an infectious disease doctor who will conduct a detailed interview with the patient and write referrals for necessary tests and medications.
Therapy recommendations
You should take a fixed dose prescribed by your doctor at the same time every day or take it occasionally 2-12 hours before intercourse, one day after intercourse and two days after intercourse. Decreasing or increasing the dose may adversely affect the effectiveness of the medicine. During therapy, you should be under strict medical supervision and regularly test for the presence of the virus. The patient should attend a follow-up medical visit at least once a quarter. A check-up is needed to check whether the prophylaxis is going well, whether the patient tolerates the medication well and whether he or she has not contracted another sexually transmitted disease in the meantime.
During consultations at Kierach Medical Klinik, the infectious disease doctor conducts an interview and orders the necessary tests needed to introduce the patient to PReP prophylaxis.
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