What is PrEP and PEP?

On World AIDS Day, Seafarers´ House San Juan wishes to raise awareness and knowledge to the HIV epidemic. This day is an opportunity to educate about ways of prevention, research, and HIV testing. Therefore, in this article I will elaborate on what is PrEP and PEP according to the Einstein Healthcare Network.  Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) are both medications to prevent acquisition of HIV. There are significant differences on how they work and when they are taken.

On one hand, PrEP is a daily medication that is recommended to HIV-negative people who are at risk of being exposed to HIV. Pre-exposure prophylaxis is suggested for people who have multiple sex partners, who do not always use condoms, who have HIV-positive sexual partners, who have had an STI in the past 6 months, who have injected drugs or have shared injection equipment in the past 6 months. This medication is not harmful during pregnancy or breast-feeding. PrEP is for people who  are HIV-negative, unrelatedly of age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. While taking PrEP daily medication, it is important to get tested regularly for HIV and STIs.

On the other hand, PEP is a medication that must be taken between 36-72 hours of exposure and also must be taken for 28 days in order for it to be effective. Post-exposure prophylaxis is suggested to any HIV-negative person that has had a high-risk exposure to HIV, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. High-risk exposures include anal or vaginal intercourse, sharing injection equipment, injuries with exposure to potentially infected body fluid or blood through needle sticks or accidents.

For any questions or access to these medications, please consult your general practitioner. PrEP and PEP are usually given with a doctor’s prescription. You can also get these medications from health clinics or Planned Parenthood health centers.

 Let’s keep getting tested regularly for HIV and STI’s to stop transmission and stop stigma. For more information, visit einsetin.edu or hiv.gov.

Eistein Healthcare Network. (n.d.). Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) - Einstein Health. Retrieved from https://www.einstein.edu/idc/prep-and-pep