2018-01-16T08:31:09
What Women Should Know About PrEP for HIV Prevention
How you can protect yourself against HIV.
Since human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) first became known, tests to identify the virus and medications to treat infected people have been discovered — but preventing HIV is still the best option. Using condoms consistently and avoiding “risky practices” are important health habits, but they can also be challenging. You may not have heard of an additional preventive measure called preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) — a daily pill that can prevent HIV-negative people from getting HIV when they have sex or share needles with HIV-positive people.
It's important to be aware that HIV affects women as well as men: In 2015, 19 of every 100 people newly diagnosed with the condition were women. Any woman who is exposed to the body fluids (semen, blood) of an HIV-positive individual can get HIV.
Who Should Consider PrEP
Women with the highest possibility of getting infected with HIV are those who:
Do not regularly use condoms and have sexual contact with one or more partners who are “at risk” for HIV (for instance, men who have sex with men or inject drugs).
Are in an ongoing sexual relationship with an HIV-positive partner.
Trade sex for drugs or money.
Inject drugs.
About PrEP
PrEP is a single pill containing two anti-HIV drugs, emtricitabine and tenofovir (abbreviated FTC/TDF), sold in the U.S. under the brand name Truvada. Taken every single day (don't forget), this regimen greatly lessens your likelihood of getting HIV. FTC and TDF are not new drugs. They have been used for many years (along with additional drugs) to treat HIV, and their safety and effectiveness are well known.