Disclaimer: This site contains HIV prevention messages that may not be appropriate for all audiences.
What is PrEP?
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is the
use of anti-HIV medications to keep HIV
negative people from becoming infected.
PrEP is approved by the FDA and has been shown to be safe and effective at preventing HIV infection.
Daily PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by more than 90%. Among people who inject drugs, it reduces the risk by more than 70%. Your risk of getting HIV from sex can be even lower if you combine PrEP with condoms and other prevention
methods.
Is PrEP right for you?
PrEP can help protect you if you don’t have HIV and any of the following conditions apply to you.
You have had anal or vaginal sex in the past 6 months and you:
- have a sexual partner with HIV (especially if the partner has an unknown or detectable viral load).
- have not consistently used a condom.
- have been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease in the past 6 months.
- inject drugs and you have an injection partner with HIV.
- inject drugs and share needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment (for example, cookers).
- have been prescribed PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) and you report continued risk behavior.
- have used multiple courses of PEP.
You may choose to take PrEP even if the behaviors listed above don’t apply to you.
Where can you get PrEP?
- Talk to your healthcare provider about PrEP.
- Reach out to Linn County Public Health at 319-892-6093.
- Visit Stop HIV Iowa for help with finding a PrEP provider.
Still need help? There are navigators to help you make your way through the healthcare system. Find a navigator on StopHIVIowa.org.
