PrEP & PEP

Are you at risk for HIV exposure?

People of all genders and sexual orientations may be at risk for HIV exposure. While gay and bisexual men face the highest risk, 1 out of every 5 new HIV diagnosis in the U.S. is a woman. HIV/AIDS cases in the U.S. remain unacceptably high, but there are now powerful tools to help prevent transmission for men and women at high risk for exposure: PrEP and PEP.

Planned Parenthood can help you significantly reduce your chance of getting HIV with PrEP and PEP treatments. PrEP and PEP are different methods for different types of HIV exposure. Read more about them below, or make an appointment with Planned Parenthood online today to learn your current HIV status and explore whether PrEP or PEP are important next steps to protect your health.

PrEP and PEP are meant for different kinds of HIV exposure and work differently. Both work to stop HIV exposure from getting you sick. All Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas Health Centers can help you with PrEP or PEP treatment today. 

PrEP

PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. That means it works to prevent HIV before you are exposed. It’s a daily pill that can help prevent HIV. If you don’t have HIV, taking PrEP every day can lower your chances of getting HIV from sex by more than 90%. PrEP is also known by the brand name Truvada. PrEP is meant for people who have an ongoing high risk of HIV exposure such as having an HIV positive partner.

Watch this quick video to learn who PrEP is for, and how it works.

PEP

PEP stands for post-exposure prophylaxis. That means it works to prevent HIV after you’ve been exposed. PEP is a series of pills you can start taking very soon after you’ve been exposed to HIV that lowers your chances of getting it. But you have to start PEP within 72 hours, or 3 days, after you were exposed to HIV, or it won’t work. The sooner you start, the better it works — every hour matters. You take PEP 1-2 times a day for at least 28 days. The medicines used in PEP are called antiretroviral medications (ART). These medicines work by stopping HIV from spreading through your body.

Watch this quick video to learn who PEP is for, and how it works.

All Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas health centers offer PrEP and PEP treatment. Make an appointment today!