PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis)

The Basics

What is PrEP? Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a way to prevent HIV. With PrEP, people who are HIV-negative take a medication (Truvada) once a day to reduce the risk of getting infected if they’re exposed to HIV. PrEP is an additional method that can be used with other HIV prevention strategies such as condoms.

The Research

PrEP clinical trials have been conducted, or are currently being conducted, all over the world. Research has very clearly demonstrated that PrEP offers high levels of protection against HIV 1nfection if you taken it regularly. But, if you don’t take it consistently, PrEP can’t protect you from HIV.

Questions About PrEP

Check out Men.PrEP.org or PrEPfacts.org for answers to all your questions about PrEP, including:

  • Why do we need HIV prevention tools like PrEP?
  • Aren’t condoms good enough?
  • What are the side effects from PrEP?
  • How can I afford PrEP?
  • Where is PrEP available now?

Interested in Starting PrEP?

Visit your primary care physician to begin the conversation. PrEP is covered by most medical insurance companies, including Kaiser, Medical Cal, and Medicare.

If you are on Medical Cal, visit any one of the following F2F community partners:

Vista Family Health Center
West County Health Centers

Not sure what to ask? Here is a handy resource to get your conversation stared.

If you are not ready to speak to you healthcare provider but would like to learn more about PrEP from F2F, visit our office Tuesdays – Fridays from 9am-4:30pm for your regular HIV test and ask your test counselor for more information.

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