Can you take PrEP if you are HIV negative?

Can you take PrEP if you are HIV negative?

Who can take PrEP? PrEP is for people who are HIV-negative and more at risk of HIV infection. PrEP can be used by men and women, both trans and cisgender.

Can I infect someone who is negative while on PEP?

It is very unlikely that your partner will catch HIV while your viral load is undetectable especially if you continue using condoms. PEP (post exposure prophylaxis) is a term used for taking HIV drugs after a possible exposure to reduce the risk of infection.

How much does PrEP reduce HIV risk?

PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99\%. PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from injection drug use by at least 74\%.

Can someone on PrEP spread HIV?

The direct answer to your short question is “no.” One cannot transmit HIV if they don’t have HIV. One cannot be a carrier of sorts if they are not HIV positive. If someone is taking PrEP as directed then their risk of acquiring HIV is reduced by more than 99\% (http://www.natap.org/2016/ICAAC/ICAAC_02.htm).

Can I buy PrEP?

Yes, because PrEP has been approved by South Africa’s Medicines Control Council. You can’t go to the chemist and request PrEP over the counter without a doctor’s prescription. Your GP would first have to test you for HIV and make sure you’re HIV negative.

Is it safe to take PrEP?

PrEP is safe. No significant health effects have been seen in people who are HIV-negative and have taken PrEP for up to 5 years. Some people taking PrEP may have side effects, like nausea, diarrhea, headache, fatigue, and stomach pain. These side effects are usually not serious and go away over time.

Is PrEP better than condoms?

With the low number of HIV cases among people actively taking PrEP we are now talking about greater than 99 percent effectiveness, in other words, the pill is more effective at preventing HIV than condoms.

Can I get PrEP from pharmacy?

Does PrEP lower your immune system?

Pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV does not affect the immune response, for the good or the bad. CD4+ T cell maturation and HIV-specific immune responses in PrEP and placebo groups.

Can you buy PrEP over the counter?

Because PrEP medications are prescription medications, one cannot simply buy PrEP medications online and they are not available over the counter in the United States. Instead, the first step to getting a medication for pre-exposure prophylaxis is to consult a medical provider.