PrEP

Do You Think You Have Been Exposed To The HIV Virus In The Past 24 Hours?

What is PrEP?

PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a powerful tool in the fight against HIV and an important option for people at high risk of contracting the virus. Our team of healthcare professionals is dedicated to providing accurate information and access to PrEP medication to help reduce the risk of HIV infection. We understand the importance of taking control of your sexual health and our goal is to provide a supportive and non-judgmental environment for our patients. Our healthcare professionals will work with you to determine if PrEP is right for you and provide the necessary information and support to help you stay on track with your medication. Don’t let HIV risk control your life, take charge of your sexual health with PrEP. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

Whether this is your first encounter or you've been here before, the good news is Prep is highly effective when taken as prescribed. Prep is the treatment of choice for you.

PrEP is intended for people who are HIV-negative and at high risk of contracting the virus through sex, specifically for people who are in an ongoing sexual relationship with an HIV-positive partner and for men and transgender women who have sex with men and who have a high number of partners, a history of sexually transmitted infections, or inconsistent condom use. Injection drug users or individuals who share needles also should consider taking PrEP

When taken consistently as prescribed, PrEP has been shown to be highly effective in reducing the risk of HIV infection. According to the CDC, when taken daily, PrEP can reduce the risk of HIV infection by more than 90%.

The duration of PrEP use will be determined by your healthcare provider and will depend on your specific risk factors. PrEP should be continued as long as an individual remains at risk for HIV.

PrEP is typically covered by most insurance plans, including Medicaid. Additionally, there are programs to help people who are uninsured or underinsured afford the medication.

Most people who take PrEP experience no side effects, but some people may experience mild side effects such as stomach discomfort, headache, or fatigue. These side effects are usually short-lived and do not require stopping the medication.

No, PrEP should not be used as a replacement for condoms, it works in conjunction with other preventive measures, condoms, for example, to reduce the risk of other STIs.

Most Asked

How is Hepatitis C spread?

Hepatitis C is primarily spread through contact with the blood of an infected person. The most common ways that hepatitis C is spread include:

Sharing needles or other equipment used to inject drugs. This is the most common way that hepatitis C is spread.
Having unprotected sex with an infected person. However, this is a less common way to spread hepatitis C.
From an infected mother to her baby during birth
Accidental needle sticks or exposure to an infected person’s blood in a healthcare setting
Sharing personal items like razors or toothbrushes with an infected person
Tattoo or piercing with unsterilized needles or equipment
Exposure to blood on the job, such as for healthcare workers.

It’s important to note that hepatitis C is not spread through casual contact such as hugging, sharing food or drinks, or using the same restrooms. It is important to test for Hepatitis C and get medical treatment if needed to prevent the virus from progressing to chronic infection.

Will PrEP still protect me from HIV even if I don't take it every day?

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medication taken daily that can help prevent the contraction of HIV. It works by blocking the virus from entering and infecting cells in the body. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV.

While missing doses of PrEP can decrease its effectiveness in preventing HIV infection, it still has some level of protection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that even if someone misses several doses, the medication still provides some level of protection against HIV.

It’s important to note that if you miss doses of PrEP or stop taking it altogether, your risk of contracting HIV increases. For maximum protection, it’s recommended to take PrEP consistently and as prescribed. To ensure that you continue to receive the protection you need, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about strategies to help you stay on track with your PrEP regimen. At LifeLine Health, we can help.

It’s also worth to note that taking PrEP alone may not protect against other sexually transmitted infections and other protective measures such as regular testing, barrier methods, and practicing safer sex should be used in conjunction with PrEP.

How can sexually transmitted diseases be prevented?

There are several ways to prevent the contraction and spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs):

1. Abstinence: Avoiding sexual contact altogether is the most effective way to prevent STDs.
2. Condom use: Consistently and correctly using condoms during sexual activity can greatly reduce the risk of contracting STDs.
3. Regular testing: Getting tested for STDs on a regular basis and discussing your sexual health with your partner(s) is important to ensure early detection and treatment.
4. Vaccinations: Getting vaccinated for certain STDs such as HPV and Hepatitis B can help prevent their contraction.
5. Limiting the number of sexual partners: Having fewer sexual partners decreases the risk of contracting an STD.
6. PrEP: for HIV, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medication taken daily that can help prevent the contraction of HIV
7. PEP: for HIV, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a medication that can be taken after possible exposure to HIV to prevent infection.
8. Get treated if you do have an STD. Many STDs can be treated and cured, which helps prevent their spread.

It’s important to remember that STDs can have serious long-term health consequences if left untreated, and it’s important to take steps to protect yourself and your partners. If you have any concerns or questions about your sexual health, please contact LifeLine Health today.

HIV

Is HIV treatable?

Yes, HIV is a treatable condition. There are several antiretroviral (ARV) drugs available that can effectively suppress the virus, allowing people living with HIV to lead long and healthy lives. These drugs work by preventing the virus from replicating and damaging the immune system, which allows the body to repair itself and maintain a healthy immune response. When used in combination, these medications are known as antiretroviral therapy (ART), and they are able to reduce the amount of virus in the blood, known as the viral load, to undetectable levels. When a person’s viral load is undetectable, they are considered to have achieved viral suppression, which reduces the risk of transmitting HIV to others. HIV is a chronic condition, so people living with HIV will likely need to take ART for the rest of their lives, but with the right care and support, people with HIV can live long, healthy lives and lead a good quality of life. It’s important to consult with a healthcare provider who can provide the right treatment and support.

How is HIV transmitted?

HIV is primarily transmitted through certain bodily fluids, such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. The most common ways that people become infected with HIV are through:

Unprotected sexual contact: HIV can be transmitted through unprotected vaginal, anal, and oral sex.

Sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs: HIV can be transmitted when needles or other equipment that has been used by an HIV-positive person is reused by someone else.

From mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding: HIV can be transmitted from a mother living with HIV to her baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.

Blood transfusion or organ transplant: HIV can be transmitted through blood transfusions or organ transplants with infected blood or organs.

It’s important to note that HIV is not transmitted through everyday activities like hugging, shaking hands, or sharing utensils.

It’s also worth mentioning that, although the risk of transmitting HIV through oral sex is lower than that of other sexual behaviors, it is still possible to transmit the virus by this way.

I am pregnant and HIV positive. Will my child be born with HIV?

If you are pregnant and living with HIV, it’s important to seek medical care right away. With appropriate medical care and treatment, the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV can be significantly reduced. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the most effective method for preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV. ART can suppress the virus in the mother’s body, lowering the risk of the virus being passed on to the baby during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or breastfeeding. If you’re pregnant and HIV-positive, you’ll be closely monitored by a team of healthcare professionals, including an obstetrician, an HIV specialist and a pediatrician. They will work together to ensure the best possible care for you and your baby. They may advise you to start the ART treatment or adjust the current regimen during pregnancy. This is necessary to achieve an undetectable viral load, which is critical in minimizing the chance of mother-to-child transmission. It’s also important to know that there is a small chance that your child may still become infected despite all the preventative measures. Therefore it’s important to test the baby for HIV shortly after birth and continue monitoring the baby’s HIV status after delivery. It’s worth noting that mother-to-child transmission of HIV is rare in developed countries due to improved treatment and awareness, as long as the mother is diagnosed and treated early.

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