Prevent HIV with PrEP

"Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis" - PrEP

PrEP, known by its acronym "Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis", which means control and prevention of a possible disease or infection, is an antiretroviral pill (Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate and Emtricitabine abbreviated as TDF / FTC) that prevents the spread of HIV by not allowing the virus to attack the immune system and destroy TCD4 cells, thus preventing massive multiplication of the infection within the system.

It is backed by various studies which have shown its safety and efficacy, and it is also approved by the FDA. Many countries around the world have included this treatment in their different public health systems. In Miami-Dade County there is an organization called PREVENTION305.ORG that promotes the use of the pill, supporting participants with routine medical check-ups and treatment.

PrEP at HOME Fast, easy, and totally private! Get PrEP using your phone, tablet, or computer. Going to the doctor's office is no longer required.

It is one of the most controversial HIV prevention methods, but at the same time one of the most innovative and effective. This preventive pill has caused a lot of controversy at a public level, as detractors of the drug allege that its use generates greater promiscuity and, in turn, more HIV infection in certain social groups.

Sexual Promiscuity is a harmful and incorrect term that seeks to frame an individual or a certain group of people for their sexual frequency and behavior. But who defines how much "much" sex is? Who has the truth to proclaim that frequency is normal and which is not?

They are moralistic questions without real answers, since sexual needs are unique and individual and the possibilities of contagion of the disease do not depend on the amount of sex but on the prevention and care when having it, a single sexual relationship or the first, without the Due protection is enough for a person to become infected with HIV if they had sex with a carrier.

There are also myths about PrEP that increases cases of Sexually Transmitted Infections (ITS), such as Syphilis and Gonorrhea. Again they are unsubstantiated comments, PrEP is a drug that aims to prevent people detected as seronegative from getting HIV, but if the contact or exchange of fluids is with a carrier of any ITS and occurs without protection, the chances of contagion are high, take PrEP or not.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT to understand that PrEP does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancies and is also not a cure for HIV infection.

To understand the importance of this pill, we must talk about its benefits. PrEP is “a preventive treatment” that according to studies carried out reduces the risk of contracting HIV by more than 90% through sexual intercourse and among people who inject drugs, PrEP reduces the risk of contracting HIV by more 70%.

This procedure depends on the constancy of its use, it is only indicated for people who "DO NOT" have the HIV virus known as "seronegative" and are considered high risk for their sexual habits. To guarantee the reduction of the risk in more than 90% this pill must be taken daily, preferably at the same time of each day, not taking the pill daily decreases its effective and risk elimination percentage. For anal sex, regardless of gender, PrEP takes at least seven days of daily use to achieve its highest preventive efficacy, while for vaginal sex it takes 20 days of daily use.

TRUVADA for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a prescription
medicine that can help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 through sex.

According to studies published by “Human RightsCampaing” PrEP is safe and the regimen is generally well tolerated. PrEP, known commercially as "Truvada", has been used since 2004. PrEP can cause mild side effects, including upset stomach, headaches, and weight loss, especially early in the regimen. Some uncommon side effects include kidney or bone problems.

The use of this medication is not for life, it should only be provided while the patient considers that he is in a high risk of contagion. You must be advised and supported by professional assistance, as it requires medical evaluations before starting the process and evaluative visits every three months, while on the regimen or treatment.

PrEP is not a magic pill, its use must be responsible and aware that it does not eliminate 100% the risk of contagion, there will always be an open window, so it must be complemented with the use of other contraceptive methods such as condoms during SEXUAL practices.

Definitively, the investigations carried out assure that the transmission of the HIV virus, despite remaining high, has decreased since the implementation of this treatment and that it does not promote “promiscuity” within the groups or individuals considered as high risk, such as:

• Those people who do not use condoms frequently.
• People who have a sexual partner with HIV (sometimes called serodiscordant, serodifferent, magnetic, or mixed-status couples).
• People who have a sexual partner at high risk of HIV contraction (for example, if they have anal or vaginal sex with other people without a condom, or are injection drug users).
• Individuals who have anal or vaginal sex with many partners, especially if you don't use condoms regularly.
• People who recently had another ITS (such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis).
• People who do sex work that includes vaginal or anal sex.
• Individuals who inject drugs shared needles, or have been under treatment for drug use in the past 6 months.

Sexual Partnerships and Considerations for HIV Antiretroviral Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Utilization Among High-Risk Substance.

If you are in a high-risk group for HIV contraction and are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding, PrEP can help you and your baby avoid getting HIV.

PrEP represents a new opportunity to have less stressful and risky sexual relations, but its result and effectiveness will always depend on the responsibility of the people involved. Being aware, being informed and putting the tools at hand to good use will always allow us to live a better life, no matter what our sexual preference or gender is ... Today the power is in us!

Special thanks to all the people who collaborated with the preparation of this work. Their participation and opinions allowed the successful completion of this.

Juan Miguel Iglesias

Marco Torrealba

Juan Carlos Benítez

Alexey García

Leonel Viera

Omar Espino

Silvia

Adrián

Mustang

El Dominicano

Mario

Jorge

Sergio

References:

https://www.quieroprep.org

https://www.hrc.org

https://www.quieroprepya.info

https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/spanish/basics/prep.html

https://www.plannedparenthood.org

https://www.elmundo.es

https://www.sfaf.org/resource-library/prep/?utm_source=GoogleAds&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=GoogleAds_UEqualsU_PrEP&gclid=CjwKCAjw8df2BRA3EiwAvfZWaAShd9dpo0XGwTjLbDIm9nMvdYRZhsMnyCluux47JWRdd0j-3htkHRoC73oQAvD_BwE

https://www.sbm.org/healthy-living/prep-facts--hiv-prevention?gclid=CjwKCAjw8df2BRA3EiwAvfZWaKdOUXqxhiuHCkxKnQ2D1ynipUYsaAqPupt4uQNT8ywZmumytHXjchoCG30QAvD_BwE