HIV: Is PrEP for Me?
PrEP is meant for people who have substantial risk for getting HIV. People who may be at substantial risk for getting HIV are:
- Someone who has sex with a partner who has HIV.
- Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men who engage in condomless anal sex with someone whose HIV status is unknown.
- Transgender women who engage in condomless anal sex with someone whose HIV status is unknown.
- People who share injection drug use equipment with someone who may be HIV positive.
Questions on the Wisconsin PrEP assessment tool, P-01197 (PDF) may help you determine if you are at substantial risk for HIV:
- Some people may not be able to take PrEP because of medical reasons. Before prescribing PrEP, a physician would assess your kidney function and bone health to determine how PrEP may affect you.
- For oral PrEP to be fully effective, Truvada® must be taken every day. If you want to use oral PrEP to prevent HIV, you must be committed to taking a pill once a day.
- Truvada® may have some minor side effects when you first start on PrEP. These side effects may include upset stomach, loss of appetite, or a mild headache. These symptoms usually go away within the first month.
- Injectable PrEP is an option for those who do not want to take a pill every day. Injectable PrEP is administered by a health care provider.
- The initial administration will require two injections be given one month apart, and then administration will move to once every two months after initial establishment for lasting effectiveness.
- Injectable PrEP is another method proven to be effective for cis-gender women and transgender men who have vaginal intercourse. If you miss a dose of injectable PrEP by more than seven days, please consult with a health care provider to be reassessed for a preventative plan.
To learn more about whether PrEP is right for you, see the resources below or contact your health care provider: