Protect Yourself With Prep: Everything You Need To Know

Preventative medicine has grown and flourished in the last few decades. This medication type is the most important as it is less expensive and increases the life expectancy of an individual. One of the deadliest diseases is HIV. Until recently, there were limited ways to prevent the transmission of this virus as there was little known about it. From what is known now, People can prevent HIV by using either male or female condoms during sex and limiting the use of shared needles.

What is HIV?

HIV is a serious condition and is also called the human immunodeficiency virus. This particular virus acts by attacking the person’s immune system. The biggest problem that arises is that if you have HIV, it is difficult to fight off common viruses like the cold or flu. There is no cure or treatment for this virus that works. However, it can be prevented and managed with a few measures, lifestyle changes, and medications.

HIV is a relatively new virus to humans. The first outbreak only first occurred in the mid-1970s in the U.S. It may have existed previously but was not recorded. From the information that is known, the virus originally came from a chimpanzee. HIV, if it is not treated, can lead to serious effects and conditions like AIDS, which can be fatal. Without treatment and management of this condition, it is estimated that individuals only live for three years after their diagnosis.

Since it is difficult to treat, it is best to prevent this infection. The ways that this virus infects its host is through sexual activity and needle sharing. Needle sharing can be in the form of drugs but also tattoos. Always ask tattoo shops and artists for a clean and new set before starting, as this is a common way HIV is transmitted. If people were to avoid these situations, they would prevent the virus from infecting them. However, it is not possible for everyone. There is a medication that people who are at a higher risk of HIV can take. The medication is called PrEP.

Symptoms of HIV to look for are:

• Persistent Fever
• Enlargement of Glands and Lymph Nodes
• Muscle Aches
• Fatigue
• Mouth Ulcers

What is PrEP?

PrEP is a medication used to prevent HIV in patients that are at a higher risk of developing this condition. Individuals at a higher risk are those who have sexual partners that have tested positive or are people who share needles. PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a relatively safe medication that is only prescribed to specific people at risk. The medication is a pill. Although it can prevent HIV, it does not prevent any other sexually transmitted diseases.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis is also very effective at fighting against the HIV virus. For example, one study conducted found that about 99% of patients taking PrEP were less likely to develop HIV through sex. However, it must be taken on a regular basis and as prescribed. If it is not, the effectiveness rate does go down. There are also two different types of PrEP: Truvada and Descovy.

Truvada is the only PrEP prescription medication that can decrease a person’s likeliness of developing HIV through both sex and sharing needles. The medication only works, however, if it is taken the right way. Truvada works on adults and adolescents. It has been given to pregnant moms at risk for the virus that fears their future child getting the virus as well. Patients prescribed Truvada must take a pill once a day for the medication to be effective. For anal sex, the patient must wait a minimum of 7 full days from first starting the medication. For penetrative vaginal sex, it is longer, and patients must wait 21 days. If not, the medication is no longer as effective. While it can fight off the virus, it is not as strong. More tests, however, are currently on the way to find out more information.

This particular PrEP medication is not for everyone. The eligibility requirements for an individual to take this type of preventative medication are strict. Only biological men assigned male at birth can take the medication to prevent HIV from anal sex. There aren’t any conclusive studies to show that vaginal sex is protected with this medication. Descovy also cannot prevent the transmission of HIV through the sharing of needles. Just like Truvada, though, Descovy is not a treatment or cure, only a preventative measure for those who are at high risk for developing HIV. It is just as effective as Truvada as well but needs to be taken the way it was prescribed.

The Benefits of Taking PrEP

For individuals who are at risk for HIV because of needle sharing or their sexual partners, there are many benefits. For one, the effectiveness rate is high. If you take this medication once it is prescribed, you are 99% less likely to develop HIV. HIV is a killer virus that slowly develops. Sometimes, this virus is not caught until a person is too sick for treatment. Since the symptoms of HIV are symptoms, you would see in the common cold or flu, and many people don’t get tested. However, if you notice any symptoms of HIV, it is important to go to the doctor and ask for a test.

Another benefit is security. Individuals who take PrEP are protected from acquiring the virus through sex. Although condoms may decrease the chances, when using PrEP, patients do not have to use the extra material.

Common Side Effects and Risks

While there are a lot of benefits to taking PrEP medication when at risk for HIV, there are also symptoms and risks associated with the medications. Both types are relatively new and still being tested. However, from the tests, researchers could conclude that there were possible symptoms. These symptoms include:

• An overabundance of Lactic Acid in your blood
• Severe Liver Damage
• Kidney Failure
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea

Eligibility

The first step to qualify and take this medication is to first go to your doctor. Your family doctor can give more specific information regarding the different preventative techniques and medicine available in your area. Thankfully, it is not difficult to become eligible for this medication. You are eligible if you:

• Share Needles of Any Kind
• Weigh Over 77 Pounds
• Are Sexually Active with an Individual Diagnosed with HIV
• Actively Engage in Anal Sex
• Are Pregnant

How To Apply for PrEP

The process on how to apply for PrEP is actually quite simple! The only thing you can do is talk to your doctor. This medication is not over the counter and can only be prescribed. Since the popularity of these medications is growing, so is the production of them. The first step on how to apply for PrEP is to talk to your doctor. Your doctor will ask you questions about your lifestyle and the concerns you have regarding catching HIV. If they note that you are at high risk for contracting the virus, the next steps will continue.

In the next step, you will take an HIV test twice. This way, your doctor is 100% certain that you have not already been infected. Since this medication is just a preventative measure, there is nothing that the medication can do if you already have the virus in your system. The test works by looking for the virus in your blood. There are various ways you can get tested. Doctors may ask patients to schedule themselves a visit with a clinic for a later date. If they already have the tests and time, however, doctors may call a nurse to distribute the test. A healthcare professional takes a sample of blood and sends it to the lab for confirmation. This test is expensive but may be covered by health insurance.

In some offices and practices, they have an antibody test that is quicker but less effective. This test develops a result within minutes and only takes a prick of blood from the patient. While it is quick, it also produces false negatives. As long as your HIV test is negative, then you qualify to take the medication. Your doctor will then prescribe it to you with directions on how to use it.

How to take PrEP

PrEP needs to be taken the right way in order to be effective. If you do not take it every single day as instructed, there is a chance that it will lose its effectiveness. Some people start the PrEP medication and, over time, end their use. This is a possibility, but the effectiveness stops as soon as you finish taking the pill. Each day, around the same time, you need to take the medication. If you do not take it at the same time, it can still be effective, but not without a decrease. When taking PrEP, your doctor may also caution you on changing your lifestyle. Since there are symptoms that target your stomach and nausea, eating lighter meals throughout the day can limit the feelings. Also, for this medication to be as effective as possible, your doctor may still urge you to wear protection against HIV, such as condoms.

How to Pay for PrEP

Healthcare can be very expensive! Thankfully, since PrEP medication is a lifesaving medicine that is needed to further prevent HIV in at-risk patients, most health insurance companies pay for the entire thing. Health insurance is one-way patients can pay for their PrEP medicine. Another way to pay for PrEP is to pay it fully without insurance. This can be very expensive, but necessary for your help. For individuals who do not have the money to pay the healthcare bill in full, there are also additional financial resources. The best thing to do if you cannot afford this medication but really need it is to look for local and state financial assistance. In almost every state and healthcare office, they offer either a payment plan or a charitable financial aid form. Don’t let money be the reason you can’t take and pay for PrEP medication. Another financial assistance program that peoples in the United States can take advantage of is the Medication Assistance Program. This program assists patients in need of medication but who can’t afford it.

Protect Yourself: Apply For PrEP Today

All in all, HIV is a deadly disease that takes the lives of tens of thousands of people across the world each year. However, it can be prevented for at-risk individuals. These at-risk individuals include people with multiple partners, individuals who engage in anal sex, and needle sharing with infected people. There are now two medications that at-risk people can use if they want to prevent the transmission of HIV. Those who think they qualify should talk to their doctor about the options available. Once they pass the eligibility and score negative on an HIV test, doctors can prescribe PrEP.