PrEP is a type of medication that can be used to prevent HIV infection if you have a partner living with HIV or if you are engaging in sexual activity that puts you at high risk of contracting HIV. That is, it is an abbreviation for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis.
Research has shown that PrEP, when used correctly, is very effective in preventing HIV infection. Currently, the HIV prevention program in Sri Lanka provides a combination of two drugs (Tenofovir DF and emtricitabine) in a pill.
It takes about 72 hours for the HIV virus, which can be transmitted through unprotected sex, to spread throughout the body. Because PrEP drugs prevent the HIV virus from dividing and spreading, PrEP drugs are present in the body at the time HIV is transmitted, thereby preventing HIV transmission.
Although PrEP prevents HIV infection, it does not prevent other sexually transmitted infections. Therefore, even if you take PrEP, do not forget that it is mandatory to use a condom during sex.
Who needs PrEP?
Doctors decide whether you need PrEP. The following are some of the criteria that are considered for it, as outlined in the National HIV Prevention Program.
1. Men who have sex with men (MSM) or transgender women.
2. Having had unprotected (condomless) anal sex with a male partner in the past 3 months.
3. Having contracted a sexually transmitted infection in the past 6 months.
4. Using psychoactive drugs (drugs that are taken to get high – such as ice, ketamine, gamma) during sexual intercourse.
5. Having a sexual partner who is living with HIV whose HIV levels are not well controlled.
If you are a person under 18 years of age who needs PrEP, talk to your doctor about taking a PrEP combination that does not have as much effect on bones.
What should I do before starting PrEP?
It is important to have the following tests before starting PrEP. These tests are provided free of charge by the government’s HIV prevention program.
1. HIV rapid test and routine ELISA test
2. Kidney function: Urine protein test/UFR
3. Kidney function: Blood creatinine and eGFR test
4. Hepatitis B and C: Blood tests
5. Sexually transmitted infections
6. Gonorrhea culture test
7. Chlamydia test
8. Syphilis test
If you want to get PrEP, call the National HIV Prevention Program’s PrEP hotline 0716379192 / 0112667163
Visit the website www.know4sure.lk
How to use PrEP drugs?
To get full protection from PrEp drugs, they must be used correctly. If you do not have enough of these drugs in your body at the time you need protection from HIV, you will not get full protection. If you take PrEP pills, it won’t make a big difference if you miss a pill very rarely. However, if you miss your medication regularly, you won’t get the protection you expect from PrEP. If you take PrEP injections, you need to attend clinics on the dates you are given and get the injections on the scheduled dates.
A vaginal ring is also used in some countries. However, this method is not yet available in Sri Lanka.
Effectiveness of PrEP drugs
Research conducted on homosexual and bisexual men has shown that the combination of tenofovir DF and emtricitabine reduces their risk of HIV infection by 86-87%.
Although two studies have shown that PrEP with this combination is 75-77% effective in protecting women with male partners, many such studies have failed to prove that women are protected as well.
However, if you think you are at risk of HIV infection, whether you are a woman, a man, or a transgender person, you can visit a National HIV Prevention Program clinic to learn about PrEP.