This 7 days is PrEP Consciousness 7 days in the Uk. Pre-publicity prophylaxis (PrEP) is a no cost medication that aids to defend folks from HIV. It includes taking a capsule that cuts down the risk of HIV transmission. PrEP is obtainable for everyone who is at superior threat of contracting HIV. This week is all about elevating recognition of PrEP and its positive aspects, so if you imagine you could possibly be at hazard of finding HIV, communicate to your doctor about whether or not it is proper for you.

How does PrEP function for HIV?

PrEP is a pill that can reduce the chance of HIV transmission by up to 99% when taken as recommended. It will work by halting the virus from replicating inside of the system and is an critical software for persons who are at risk of HIV an infection. PrEP operates by preventing the virus from having hold in the system and is most productive when taken continually. Though PrEP is not a treatment or therapy for HIV, it can help to restrict the unfold of the virus. Increasing recognition and creating it far more obtainable decreases the selection of new HIV infections.

Who ought to just take PrEP?

The widespread misconception about HIV is that it only affects homosexual and bisexual men. Having said that, 49% of new HIV-optimistic diagnoses in England in 2020 were being in heterosexuals. This demonstrates that anybody who is sexually active will have to have consciousness of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). PrEP is a drug taken by HIV negative persons ahead of and just after sexual intercourse to cut down the risk of transmission. You might be regarded at threat of contracting HIV if you:

• Have unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse

• Have numerous associates or attend intercourse functions

• Have a associate who is HIV beneficial with a detectable viral load

• Have an HIV favourable husband or wife who doesn’t consider their HIV treatment regularly

• Are a sexual intercourse employee

• Inject prescription drugs and really do not always use clean needles

• Have not long ago necessary to consider PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis)

Can I get PrEP on the NHS?

The treatment is absolutely free of cost on the NHS in the British isles for men and women who are at hazard of publicity to HIV. PrEP have to be approved by a clinical professional and is at present only offered from sexual health and fitness clinics. Find your regional sexual overall health clinic to get free PrEP here.

When should really PrEP be taken?

There are distinct ways of having PrEP. Your healthcare company will go over these with you and decide which is the right choice for you:

• Day-to-day PrEP:  Persons of any gender can get each day PrEP to reduce HIV an infection. If you are exposed to HIV on a regular basis (eg. your sexual partner is residing with HIV) you will be advised to just take 1 capsule everyday.

• On-Need PrEP: On-demand PrEP is a medication for cisgender adult men who have sex with guys. It consists of taking 2 supplements 2-24 hours ahead of a probable HIV publicity, followed by 1 pill everyday, until finally 2 times following the very last possible sexual exposure. This is also referred to as “event-based mostly dosing” or “EBD”.

• 4 supplements for every week (also referred to as ‘Ts and Ss’): PrEP is taken on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday each week. This technique is only appropriate for gay and bisexual cisgender adult males.

• Getaway PrEP: This involves getting a unique dosage just before and immediately after a time time period when you hope to be sexually lively.

How lengthy does PrEP consider to do the job?

• If you are possessing anal sex, it normally takes 7 days of consistently using PrEP ahead of there is more than enough medication in your body to secure from HIV.

• If you are obtaining vaginal sex, it normally takes 21 days for PrEP to attain optimum security for vaginal publicity to HIV.

What are the side outcomes?

You may well practical experience aspect consequences when starting off PrEP. These incorporate complications, an upset abdomen, or a decline of hunger. Consider taking your capsule alongside a meal or at night time ahead of you go to slumber to support abdomen-relevant signs and symptoms. Aspect results usually go absent on their very own within just the to start with month of having PrEP. Get in touch with your healthcare provider if any of your indications turn into extreme.

I’m HIV constructive, can I take PrEP?

No. PrEP can only be taken by HIV detrimental men and women to halt transmission of the virus. If you are HIV favourable, you will need antiretroviral remedy. You can get this by way of your GP, a sexual overall health clinic or other overall health gurus.

Recommendations for getting PrEP

You want to take PrEP accurately as approved for it to correctly get rid of the chance of HIV. Listed here are some ideas you could discover handy when commencing PrEP:

• Make a regimen: Consider your treatment along with a day by day process like brushing your tooth. This aids it to develop into a behavior that you will not ignore.

• Established a reminder: Have a day by day alarm or calendar occasion on your phone to prompt you when it is time to get your tablet.

• Have it handy: Have a spare pill with you in circumstance you are not at house when it can be time to take your dose.

• Observe what you acquire: Preptrack is an application that generates a timetable and results in reminders to enable you control your dosing.

• Hold on top rated of your prescription: Don’t hold out until eventually you operate out of PrEP to plan your subsequent appointment – plan in advance.

• Get tested regularly: PrEP will not end you from contracting other STIs – get analyzed just about every 3 months. Your health care provider might also advocate kidney perform screening or liver assessments to ensure PrEP continues to be harmless for you to use.

If you have a break from PrEP and have unprotected sexual intercourse in the course of this time, make confident you just take yet another HIV exam just before you restart your products.

The place can I choose an HIV check?

If you have been in sexual get hold of with an HIV beneficial man or woman, get an iPlaySafe residence STI check kit right here. This is an simple way to test for HIV in the comfort of your property. The moment you return your take a look at to the laboratory in the pre-paid envelope presented you may obtain your success in just 2-5 performing days by means of the iPlaySafe application. If you acquire your HIV test following opportunity exposure and the consequence is destructive, get analyzed once more after the window period for the take a look at you took.

PrEP is a great way to safeguard yourself from HIV, and it’s even extra productive when combined with other equipment this sort of as condoms and regular testing. But remember, it will not likely avoid the transmission of other STIs. The greatest way to manage great sexual wellbeing is to get examined often.