The persons who would benefit from the use of PrEP:
“Again, most HIV-negative people who are sexually active probably don’t need to think about PrEP. But people who might think about using it do include black men who have sex with other men, and black women. Both groups, unfortunately, are getting HIV at rates higher than the rest of the US population.”
“Men who receive during anal intercourse – especially if they find that condoms break or have a difficult time using them consistently – should think about PrEP. Anyone who experiences a sexually transmitted disease like gonorrhea or syphilis should seriously consider it. Also, anyone who has difficulty getting partners to use condoms when they wish to use them, or has been forced to have sex might think about PrEP. And lastly, while HIV-positive people who are effectively treated for HIV are much less likely to pass the virus on to their partners, HIV-negative people who regularly have sex with positive partners may want to consider PrEP.”
On the side effects of PrEP:
“Most people who take Truvada don’t experience side effects. But short-term side effects may include headaches, weight loss and stomach problems like nausea, diarrhea and stomach ache. These occurred in about 1 out of 10 people, and most went away after the first few weeks of taking Truvada.”
“People with current kidney disease should not use PrEP. A few people using PrEP have had minor problems with kidney health, which got better when Truvada was stopped. Those who do use PrEP should have their kidney health checked regularly with a simple blood test. Minor bone density loss also occurred for a small number of people.”
“As for longer-term side effects, we don’t yet have data on long-term use of Truvada in HIV-negative people. But we do have a lot of experience with Truvada in people who are HIV-positive, and it has been found to be quite safe and well-tolerated.”
Advice for partners who have potentially been exposed to HIV:
“It would also be good for people who are sexually active, and who consider themselves to be at risk for HIV, to know about something called POST-Exposure Prophylaxis, or PEP. PrEP is done BEFORE having sex – every day, as we said earlier. PEP is something people do AFTER they think they may have been exposed to HIV from unsafe sex. PEP involves taking a combination of three anti-HIV medications to reduce the chances of actually becoming infected. It is critical to start PEP within 72 hours of having a risky episode, and take the medications every day for a month.”
For more information about PrEP and Project Inform visit www.projectinform.org and visit www.ncshguide.org for more information on preventative services for men and women.
Glamazon Tyomi is a freelance writer, model and sex educator with a deeply rooted passion for spreading the message of sex positivity and encouraging the masses to embrace their sexuality. Her website, www.sexperttyomi.com, reaches internationally as a source for advice and information for the sexually active/curious. Follow her on Twitter at @glamazontyomi and the all-new “Glamazon Tyomi’s Sex Academy” radio show here.