Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) HIV Pill
If you’re susceptible to contracting HIV, having access to PrEP HIV prevention in Atlanta is vital to the sustainability of your health. Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is designed for individuals who do not have HIV but are at greater risk of contracting it. PrEP is a powerful HIV prevention tool that is taken orally. By taking a pill every day, PrEP works to prevent HIV from spreading. However, those who do use PrEP must commit to taking the pill every day, in addition to seeing their healthcare provider every few months.
This makes selecting your primary care provider an important decision. By working with an HIV specialist certified by the American Academy of HIV Medicine, you will have access to dedicated expertise and the latest advancement in the treatment and prevention of HIV. But equally important to working with an HIV specialist in Atlanta is receiving care in an open and non-discriminatory space that embraces individuals from all walks of life.
Erin Everett, NP-C, AAHIVS, is a AAHIVM-certified HIV specialist in Atlanta who is dedicated to providing safe spaces for everyone to receive the highest quality healthcare – especially those within Atlanta’s LGBTQ community. If you’d like to learn more about consulting Erin for PrEP, HIV testing, and other HIV/AIDS treatments, schedule an appointment by visiting the Contact page.
How Effective is Truvada PrEP Medication for HIV Prevention?
The PrEP pill is developed under the brand name Truvada. Truvada PrEP medication contains two different types of medicines, tenofovir and emtricitabine. These are both used in conjunction with other medicines to effectively treat HIV. In the instance someone is exposed to HIV through sex or injection drug use, the medicines that make up Truvada’s HIV prevention pill work together to prevent the virus from establishing a permanent infection.
But what most patients often wonder is how effective is Truvada PrEP medication for HIV prevention? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, when taken consistently, PrEP has been shown to minimize the risk of contracting HIV (in individuals who are at high risk) by 92%-99%. This variability is contingent based on how many PrEP pills are taken in a given week, with healthy ranges typically between 5-7 pills. In turn, PrEP is much less effective in preventing HIV if it is not taken consistently.
What’s the Difference Between PEP & PrEP HIV Prevention Pill?
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a time-sensitive form of HIV prevention where HIV-negative individuals take medications after coming into contact with HIV to dramatically reduce their risk of becoming infected. Unlike PrEP, PEP is only a month-long course of drugs, but it must be started within 72 hours after being exposed to HIV. While PEP is used as a short-term HIV prevention strategy after one suspects they may contracted the virus, PrEP is a long-term, ongoing form of treatment that gives individuals greater peace of mind. For more information read my blog post or listen to my podcast episode about PrEP vs. PEP.
Where to Get PrEP & HIV Testing in Atlanta?
If you are exposed to greater risk of contracting HIV, it may be in your best interest to consult a professional to have access to PrEP in Atlanta. Unlike a general primary care physician or health care provider who may have limited understanding and resources regarding PrEP HIV prevention, testing, and treatment, working with a dedicated HIV specialist can have its advantages.
For professional and progressive HIV care, including the provision of PrEP, Erin Everett, NP-C, AAHIVS, a certified HIV specialist based in Atlanta. Erin provides progressive, non-judgmental healthcare and HIV treatment for everyone – particularly individuals who are transgender, gay, bisexual, or are gender non-conforming. To learn more about consulting Erin for PrEP, HIV testing, and other forms of treatment, schedule an appointment by visiting the Contact page.
PreP HIV Prevention for Alanta’s LGBTQ Community
Atlanta’s LGBTQ community is especially susceptible to infectious diseases like HIV and AIDS. Unfortunately, the options for progressive, non-judgmental HIV treatment, management and prevention is somewhat limited for individuals who are transgender, gay, bisexual, or are gender non-conforming. In turn, it can be difficult to find a provider who provides an open and non-discriminatory space that embraces all walks of life.
Erin Everett, NP-C, AAHIVS, is an Atlanta HIV specialist who is committed to providing safe spaces for everyone to receive the highest quality healthcare – especially those within Atlanta’s LGBTQ community. Erin has dedicated herself to providing access to healthcare for the local LGBTQ community, particularly for Atlanta patients who seek PrEP, HIV testing, treatment, and management of HIV or AIDS. For more information, Contact Erin to schedule an appointment.