Are you HIV negative but are at very high risk for HIV? Taken every day, PrEP can help keep you free from HIV.
What is PrEP?
PrEP or pre-exposure prophylaxis, is a daily medicine that can reduce your chances of getting HIV. PrEP can help stop HIV from taking hold and spreading throughout your body. Daily PrEP reduces risk of getting HIV from sex by more than 90%. Among people who inject drugs, it reduces risk by more than 70%. Your risk of getting HIV from sex can be even lower if you combine PrEP with condoms and other prevention methods.
Is PrEP for you?
PrEP may benefit you if you are HIV negative and ANY of the following apply to you.
You are a gay/bisexual man and
• Have an HIV-positive partner
• Have multiple partners a partner with multiple partners, or a partner whose HIV status is unknown – and you also; have sex without a condom, or recently had a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
You are heterosexual and
• have an HIV-positive partner.
• have multiple partners, a partner with multiple partners, or a partner whose HIV status is unknown – and you also; don’t always use a condom for sex with people who inject drugs, don’t always use a condom for sex with bisexual men.
You inject drugs and
• Share needles or equipment to inject drugs
• Recently went to a drug treatment program
• Are at risk for getting HIV from sex.
Visit your doctor
• To find out if PrEP is right for you
• Every 3 months, if you take PrEP, for repeat HIV tests, prescription refills, and follow-up.
• If you have any symptoms while taking PrEP that become severe or don’t do away.
How can you get help paying for PrEP?
• Most private and state Medicaid plans cover PrEP. If you are on Medicaid, check with your benefits counselor.
• Schedule an appointment with our PrEP Benefits Navigation Specialist by calling 1-760-992-0492.
• Walk-in The DOCK, 1695 N. Sunrise Way (at Vista Chino), Monday – Friday 10am – 6:30 PM, to receive benefits assistance.
Content source: Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, Sexual Transmitted Diseases and Tuberculosis Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention