How PrEP protects against HIV

Even in modern times, there is still a lot of confusion surrounding the condition known as HIV. People are unsure about a number of things including how you contract it, the difference between HIV and AIDS, and who is most at risk of contracting it. Although modern science has advanced to a point where HIV is no longer a damning diagnosis, it seems as if people's understanding of the virus itself has not developed as rapidly. It is important to educate yourself about matters pertaining to your sexual health as, unfortunately, you never know what could happen. In this article, we will aim to educate people about HIV as a condition, as well as the treatment, PrEP, that is used to prevent and treat it.

What is HIV?

HIV, which stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It is a condition that once in the body begins to attack certain cells of your immune system which leaves you vulnerable to other infections. If HIV is left untreated then it can be a very cruel disease. The longer you have HIV without any treatment the more damage it will do to your immune system. This will leave you at a greater risk of contracting serious infections and cancers.

Thankfully, there are very effective treatments that are readily available that keep the levels of the virus in the body down. Whilst these treatments are not able to completely destroy the virus they can keep it at ‘undetectable’ levels. We now know that people with an undetectable level of the virus cannot pass it on to others. This has been a huge breakthrough in how people with HIV manage it.

What is PrEP?

You should always ensure to practice safe sex whether you are at high risk of HIV or not. This will help you to avoid other sexually transmitted diseases. However, for those who are particularly vulnerable to HIV, it’s good to know that there is a treatment available which offers an extra layer of protection. This treatment is known as PrEP.

PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. It is a medication taken by HIV-negative people to help prevent the spread of the virus. It is taken by those that are at the highest risk of infection as it helps to prevent them from contracting the virus. PrEP is used alongside other HIV medications to help treat existing infections and can play a role in helping to get the level of the virus in the body to undetectable levels.

How does PrEP work?

The PrEP treatment that you can buy from UK Meds is a combination of two medications, emtricitabine and tenofovir. These two medications belong to a group known as NRTIs. NRTIs work by creating a barrier between your cells and the HIV virus so that if you do come into contact with it, it will not be able to attach to your cells or cause any damage. They help to inhibit the enzyme reverse transcriptase which is a vital component that HIV cells need in order to replicate.

When should you take PrEP treatment?

PrEP treatments work best for those that are at high risk of contracting HIV. It can also be used by those who already have the infection alongside other HIV medications. When you first receive your medication you should ensure to read the product information leaflet that it is provided with. This will include information on how you should use the medication. Your doctor will also provide you with instructions on how often you should use the treatment so that it works the best it can.

Typically you will take your medication once a day, swallowed orally with water. Depending on other medications you are taking you may be required to take PrEP on an empty stomach or with a light meal. You should speak to your doctor if you are unsure of what to do. PrEP should be taken at regular intervals, and it is recommended that you take it at the same time every day. To do this it may be best to set yourself a reminder to ensure you do not miss a dose.

How is HIV spread?

There are many misconceptions about how HIV is spread. The fact of the matter is, HIV is spread through contact with bodily fluids that are infected with the virus. The most commonly infected bodily fluids that pass on the infection are blood, semen, breast milk and vaginal fluid. There are other ways that the virus can be passed on. Sharing needles is one of the main ways that the virus is spread among drug users.

Due to a lack of understanding, there are many theories as to other ways the virus can spread. Some people believe that hugging, shaking hands with, or sharing the same toilet as someone with the virus will pass it on. This is simply not the case and is a good example of how misinformation can spread when people do not know what they are talking about.

What’s the difference between HIV and AIDS?

People will often get confused between these two terms as they can be linked. When you have HIV, it does not necessarily mean that you are going to contract AIDS. Simply put, AIDS is the end consequence of having untreated HIV for an extended period of time. Standing for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, AIDS occurs when the HIV virus has damaged the immune system to such an extent that certain ‘AIDS-defining’ opportunistic infections can take hold. It’s not possible to catch or pass on AIDS, however, it is possible to pass on HIV which is often a cause of AIDS.

Who is most at risk of HIV?

Technically, anyone can contract HIV. However, there are certain groups who are considered to be at higher risk and should take measures to protect themselves accordingly.

Men who have sex with other men are the most severely affected demographic. As of 2020, around 3.4% of men in the United Kingdom over the age of 16 identify as gay. This is around 1.14 million people. Despite this relatively small percentage of the population, two-thirds of all new infections of HIV are people that are from this group. This is because unprotected anal sex is one of the easiest ways for the virus to pass from person to person.

Other high-risk groups may need to use PrEP medications. People that inject drugs, and those that share needles when doing so are at high risk of contracting the virus. Sex workers who do not use proper protection are also considered to be at high risk, as well as those who are over 50. People over the age of 50 can be less concerned about unwanted pregnancies and can be more relaxed about practising safe sex. A lot of people over the age of 50 also missed out on proper sex education when they were in school so will not know the basics of safe sex when they are older.

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Sources

https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/prep.html

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hiv-and-aids/

https://www.who.int/health-topics/hiv-aids

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hiv-and-aids/prevention/

https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/about-hiv-and-aids/what-are-hiv-and-aids

https://www.letstalkaboutit.nhs.uk/hiv-services/prep/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1tD5bplcGcpztJTGw1njRYG/information-and-support-hiv