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Pre-Exposure
Prophylaxis (PREP)
Most of us have heard of PEP
(post-exposure prophylaxis), a month-long series of the anti-HIV
drug cocktails you can take after a potential exposure to reduce the
chances of becoming infected with HIV.
But what if there were a pill you could take before - pre-exposure prophylaxis?
Researchers are currently studying whether or not taking regular doses
of Tenofovir (one of the currently available HIV meds) will help protect
against HIV infection and whether it's safe to do so. If it works, we
would have another way to reduce risk. But don't try it yet!
We still don't know if it's effective, or if there are unexpected side
effects for HIV-negative folks. Until we know for sure, let's keep using
condoms
and clean needles!