Be PrEPARED
Just like the Scouts, Nuns like to be prepared. A Condom is always great, but... If it rips, if it slips, or if you just forget it on your nightstand PrEP, PeP, and/or TasP can be a great option. PrEP, PeP, or TasP are medication routines that greatly reduce the risk of contracting HIV and other STIs. PrEP, PEP, and/or TasP may be a good option, especially for those who bareback, but PrEP can be there for everyone. Just talk to your doctor or a Clinic below about what is best for you and your health.
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PrEP
Pre-exposure prophylaxis
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Pre-exposure prophylaxis (or PrEP) is when people at high risk for HIV take daily medicine to prevent HIV. PrEP can stop HIV from taking hold and spreading throughout your body. When taken daily, PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV from sex or injection drug use. PrEP is much less effective when it is not taken consistently.
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Studies have shown that PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99% when taken daily. Among people who inject drugs, PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV by at least 74% when taken daily.
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PrEP is even more effective when combined with condoms and other prevention tools.
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Keep in mind, PrEP does not protect against other STIs, or sexually transmitted infections, so consider pairing it with regular testing and safer sex practices to stay fully in charge of your sexual health.
Doxy PEP
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis
Doxy PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a targeted antibiotic used after potential exposure to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as syphilis and chlamydia. Taken within 72 hours of exposure, Doxy PEP can significantly reduce the risk of these infections.
Emergency PEP
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis
PEP, or post-exposure prophylaxis, is a 28-day pill regimen that must be started within 72 hours after a possible exposure to HIV to prevent the virus from taking hold in your body. Every hour counts. PEP should be used only in emergency situations. It is not meant for regular use by people who may be exposed to HIV frequently.
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We recommend that you go to an emergency room or talk to your doctor to access PeP if needed in an emergency.
TasP
Treatment as Prevention
Treatment as Prevention (TasP) refers to taking HIV medicine to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV. It is one of the most highly effective options for preventing HIV transmission.
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People with HIV who take HIV medicine (called antiretroviral therapy or ART) as prescribed and get and keep an undetectable viral load—a very low level of HIV in the blood—can live long and healthy lives and will not transmit HIV to their HIV-negative partners through sex. In other words; undetectable = untransmittable (U=U).
Clinics
The Clinics listed below offer Free or low-cost PrEP and other services in Cincinnati. Check out the resources page to learn more about our community providers.
Caracole
Equitas Health
