Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medication that can prevent one from getting HIV when taken as prescribed. Daily PrEP – emtricitabine/tenofovir (Truvada®) – is safe and effective for reducing the risk of HIV acquisition in sexually active men who are at an ongoing risk for HIV. The CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care. For higher risk people, yearly HIV testing is recommended.
Did You Know?
According to the CDC, an estimated 1.2 million people in the United States have HIV. Over 160,000 of these people are unaware of their status. Nearly 40% of new HIV infections are transmitted by people who don’t know they have the virus.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Am I a candidate for PrEP?
You may be a candidate for PrEP if you are HIV negative and:
- Have a sexual partner with HIV
- Have sex regularly without a condom
- Have been diagnosed with an STD in the past 6 months
- Inject drugs with an injection partner who has HIV
- You share needles, syringes, or other equipment to inject drugs
To determine if PrEP is right for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Bortecen of SoHo Men’s Health today.
What can I expect when starting PrEP treatment at SoHo Men’s Health?
Before starting PrEP treatment at SoHo Men’s Health, you can expect to take an HIV test to ensure that you are HIV negative. Dr. Bortecen will then write you a prescription for PrEP. While taking PrEP, you will need to schedule follow up appointments every 3 months. During these visits, you can expect to take an HIV test before having your prescription refilled. In some cases, you may also be able to complete these follow up appointments through telemedicine visits or with a mail-in self testing kit.
Are there side effects associated with PrEP?
Like any other prescription drug, there are some potential side effects that can occur when taking PrEP. Side effects generally include diarrhea, nausea, headache, fatigue, and stomach pain. In most cases, these side effects will improve over time.
