PrEP Facts – a tablet that taken once daily can stop you from getting HIV

• HIV = Human Immunodeficiency Virus
• This virus (HIV) makes the immune system weaker. It then makes the person more likely to be sick from other infections.
• HIV is found in the blood and sexual fluids of an infected person
• If HIV is not treated, the infection can lead to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome – knows as AIDS
• There is treatment available for HIV, known as ART. Click on ‘what is ART’ to learn how it controls HIV

• If HIV is not treated, the infection can lead to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome – AIDS
• AIDS is not a disease but means that your immune system is very weak
• Once you develop AIDS, your immune system will not be able to fight off diseases such as pneumonia, tuberculosis and influenza

• Antiretroviral therapy (ART) are medicines to treat HIV infection
• ART is a combination of HIV medicines taken every day
• ART is recommended for everyone who has HIV
• There are very few side effects with ART
• People with HIV should start ART as soon as possible
• ART reduces the risk of HIV transmission.
• ART reduces a person’s HIV level so that the immune system is strong again.
• ART will help people with HIV live longer, healthier lives

• U=U – Undetectable Viral Load = Untransmittable HIV infections
• Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a treatment for HIV
• ART can decrease the levels of HIV in your body
• Regular blood tests will test your HIV levels
• If you have undetectable levels of HIV in your blood, it means you cannot transmit the virus to someone else
• This is now known as Undetectable viral load equals Untransmittable HIV infections (U=U)

PrEP may be a good choice for you if:

• Your partner is HIV positive
• You have sex with multiple partners
• You inject drugs
• You are having sex with someone and don’t know their HIV status
• You are having sex with someone from a place that has a large number of people living with HIV
• You often get STIs in your anus or vagina

The best way to find out if PrEP is right for you, is to book in with a doctor who can prescribe PrEP. Find a suitable doctor near you.

You can also watch these videos, which show who PrEP may be suitable for.

• nausea
• dizziness
• headaches
• fatigue
• stomach cramps

Read more about side effects here.

Usually, it is much cheaper to order PrEP online. However, if you order online and import PrEP it is not covered by Australian regulatory standards. This means it can’t be guaranteed that it’s actually the drug that it says it is.

Get much more information about accessing PrEP here on the Prep Access Now website.

If you do not have a Medicare card please check www.PAN.org.au for useful information about access to PrEP, including buying PrEP medication online.

• PEP = Post-exposure prophylaxis
• PEP is a 4-week course of tablets (medicines) taken after an experience that may put you at risk of getting HIV
• It is effective in preventing HIV infection if started within 72 hours of exposure.
• PEP works by stopping the virus from replicating
• You can get PEP medicines from sexual health clinics, hospital accident and emergency departments, and other specialised HIV health centres.