Youth and PrEP

HIV is more preventable than ever. So, let’s talk about PrEP, PEP and U=U.

PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, is a medication that helps you stay HIV-negative. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective. PrEP is safe and generally well tolerated. Most health plans (public and private) cover PrEP.

PrEP works for youth, women, men, people of transgender experience, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and people who inject drugs.

PEP, or post-exposure prophylaxis is a combination of medications you can take AFTER a possible exposure to HIV if you are not on PrEP or have missed taking PrEP as prescribed. PEP is more effective the sooner it’s started, and must be started within 72 hours of the exposure. PEP is taken daily for 28 days.

Undetectable means that when a person living with HIV regularly takes HIV medications, it keeps the virus at very low levels. This is also called having an “undetectable viral load”. People who take their HIV medicines as prescribed over time and stay undetectable have no risk of passing on HIV through sex. This concept is also known as U=U, short for “undetectable = untransmittable.”

You can use these HIV prevention tools alone or together to have the sex you want and reduce your chances of getting HIV!