PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis)
PrEP can significantly reduce your chance of getting HIV from sex or injection drug use. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV. For more information, please visit the CDC's PrEP page.
Types of PrEP Medications
Suitable for all individuals at risk through sex or injection drug use.
For people at risk through sex, except for those assigned female at birth who are at risk of getting HIV from vaginal sex.
The first and only long-acting injectable PrEP option.
Safety of PrEP
PrEP is generally safe, but some people may experience side effects like diarrhea, nausea, headache, fatigue, and stomach pain. These side effects typically subside over time. Our clinicians are available to answer questions about routine clinical care, laboratory testing, and the most common side effects. Learn more about side effects from Truvada, Descovy, and APRETUDE.
Effectiveness of PrEP
- PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV.
- Reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99% when taken as prescribed.
- PrEP pills reduce the risk of getting HIV by at least 74% for people who inject drugs when taken as prescribed. PrEP shots are currently not recommended for people who inject drugs.
- PrEP is less effective when not taken as prescribed.
How Long Does PrEP Take to Work?
- Receptive anal sex (bottoming): Maximum protection at about 7 days of daily use.
- Receptive vaginal sex and injection drug use: Maximum protection at about 21 days of daily use.
- No data available for insertive anal sex (topping) or insertive vaginal sex.
- PrEP shots: Duration to reach maximum protection during sex is currently unknown.
Paying for PrEP
Most insurance plans and state Medicaid programs cover PrEP. Under the Affordable Care Act, PrEP must be free under almost all health insurance plans, meaning you can't be charged for your PrEP medication or the necessary clinic visits and lab tests.
If you don’t have insurance or Medicaid coverage, there are other programs available:
- Ready, Set, PrEP: Provides PrEP medication at no cost to those who qualify.
- Co-pay assistance programs: Help lower the costs of PrEP medications; income is not a factor in eligibility.
- ViiVConnect: Offers a program to help pay for PrEP shots.
- State PrEP assistance programs: Some cover PrEP medication, while others cover clinical visits and lab tests. Some programs cover both.
Consult with Your Healthcare Provider
Talk to your healthcare provider if you think PrEP may be right for you. PrEP can only be prescribed by a healthcare provider, and you must test negative for HIV before starting PrEP.
Identifying Indications for PrEP
Routinely taking a sexual history is essential to identify patients at risk for HIV. Here is a guide to taking a sexual history using the 5 P’s: Partners, Practices, Prevention of Pregnancy, Protection from STIs, and Past History of STIs.
- "Do you have sex with men, women, or both?"
- "In the past 2 months, how many partners have you had sex with?"
- "In the past 12 months, how many partners have you had sex with?"
- "Is it possible that any of your sex partners in the past 12 months had sex with someone else while they were still in a sexual relationship with you?"
- "Have you had vaginal sex (penis in vagina)? If yes, do you use condoms: never, sometimes, or always?"
- "Have you had anal sex (penis in rectum/anus)? If yes, do you use condoms: never, sometimes, or always?"
- "Have you had oral sex (mouth on penis/vagina)?"
- "What are you doing to prevent pregnancy?"
- "What do you do to protect yourself from STIs and HIV?"
- "Have you ever had an STI?"
- "Have any of your partners had an STI?"
Additional questions to identify HIV and viral hepatitis risk include:
- "Have you or any of your partners ever injected drugs?"
- "Have you or any of your partners exchanged money or drugs for sex?"
- "Is there anything else about your sexual practices that I need to know?"
PrEP & HIV Prevention Near Me in Central Mississippi
G.A. Carmichael prides itself on offering affordable, accessible healthcare to all residents of Central Mississippi. If you still have questions about PrEP and if treatment is right for you, please email us at PrEP@gacfhc.org. To make an appointment with one of our expert providers, we encourage you to call us today at (601) 859-5213 or use our convenient and secure online appointment request form. We are proud to serve residents of Canton, Belzoni, Yazoo, Madison, and Humphreys Counties.
