These are the steps you must follow to prevent HIV infection: PrEP AND PEP

by time news

The human immunodeficiency virus, also known as HIV, has been a real challenge for professionals in the field of science and medicine over the years. In the worst moments in the history of the disease, AIDS victims numbered in the thousands, although it is currently a more controlled pathology and, above all, more accepted by society. In this sense, the visibility of the treatments of prevention and post-exposure They are essential to tackle it.

we talk about the call PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis). A series of drugs that are used in different situations, but with the same objective: to protect against HIV in cases related to possible exposure to the virus. The first is for people who are at risk of HIV infection and the second is for people who may have been exposed to a case of HIV.

What is PrEP? This is pre-exposure prophylaxis

“Pre-exposure prophylaxis consists of take the medicine combination emtricitabine-tenofovir (Truvada) or emtricitabine plus tenofovir alafenamide (Descovy) every day. Having pre-exposure prophylaxis drugs in your bloodstream can prevent HIV from taking hold and spreads through the body,” Mayo Clinic experts explain about treatment.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a person taking Truvada every day may reduce the risk of contracting HIV through sexual relations in more than 99% and the use of injectable drugs in more than 74%. Its effectiveness will be reduced, yes, if it is not taken constantly.

HIV test (FILE photo) 2/14/2019
Stock image of an HIV test.
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Who should consider taking PrEP?

Prevention treatment against HIV is indicated for people in different risk situations and whenever it is prescribed by a doctor, who will decide whether to grant a daily regimen or on demand for those days in which there is greater risk (the latter is less recommended).

  • sexual relations. Have a sexual partner with HIV (especially if their viral load is unknown or detectable), have not consistently used a condom with sex, or have been diagnosed with an STD in the last 6 months.
  • Consumption of drugs. You have shared injecting drug materials or have an injecting partner who has HIV.
  • PEP has been prescribed and continues to engage in high-risk behaviors or
    have used multiple cycles of PEP.

Intermittent fasting is an increasingly popular method.

All about PEP, post-exposure prophylaxis

PEP treatment It consists of the use of antiretroviral drugs to prevent HIV infection in an HIV-negative person who has had a specific high-risk exposure to HIV. Such exposure usually happens through sex or sharing syringes (or other injection equipment) with someone who has or might have the disease. To know when and how to start using it, it is important to follow certain guidelines and follow medical advice.

Who should take PEP?

Hoaxes about AIDS
Hoaxes about AIDS
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PEP is a treatment indicated for those are HIV negative or do not know their HIV status, and in the last 72 hours they may have been exposed to HIV. Those who have had sexual relations in which there is a risk of condom breakage; sharing needles or drug preparation equipment or being sexually assaulted.

In these cases, it will be the doctor who assesses the situation and prescribes the treatment that must be started within 72 hours (3 days) after possible exposure to HIV. Although the sooner you start, the sooner the medicine will be effective. This treatment also lasts 28 days and will go hand in hand with continuous medical monitoring. Of course, it is important to highlight, as indicated by Medline Plus, that “the PEP is only for emergency situations. It is not the right choice for people who may be frequently exposed to HIV, for example if you often have sex with a partner who is HIV positive. PrEP would be appropriate in this case“.

References

HIV: PrEP and PEP. (nd). MedlinePlus. Accessed at https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/hivprepandpep.html on February 22, 2023

Pre-exposure prophylaxis: how effective is it in preventing HIV? (2021, July 29). Mayo Clinic. Accessed at https://www.mayoclinic.org/es-es/diseases-conditions/hiv-aids/expert-answers/prep-hiv/faq-20456940 on February 22, 2023.

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