PREP

WHAT IS PrEP?

PrEP (also referred to as “HIV PrEP”) stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis, i.e., health screening prior to risk exposure..

This method of protection consists in HIV-negative persons taking HIV medication, in order to protect themselves against infection.

If used properly, PrEP is as good a protection against HIV as condoms ortreatment as prevention.

HOW IS PrEP DONE?

PrEP is done by taking HIV drugs that will inhibit HIV replication.

Both active substances contained in the PrEP drug (tenofovir, emtricitabin) enter, among other cells, the cells of mucous membranes (e.g. of the intestine or the vagina) that during sex come into contact with body fluids or mucous membranes of the partner.

If the HIV penetrates into these cells, the viruses cannot replicate and HIV infection is prevented.

However, this requires a sufficient amount of active substance in the blood and in the mucous membranes. If medicine intake is discontinued, the active substances will disappear from the body and thus their protective effects.

In extremely rare cases, the transmitted viruses are already resistant against PrEP medication. In these cases, infection may occur even if PrEP has been applied correctly. However, throughout the world only a handful of such cases have been reported.

WHERE CAN I GET PrEP?

Since September 1, 2019, statutory health insurance has been covering the costs of PrEP medication and all related medical examinations of individuals with an increased HIV risk. Private insurers have their own rules and it might pay to ask.

In any case, it is important to first start by asking a trained physician whether PrEP might be an option for you and what you need to bear in mind. The physician will also explain to you what checks are required.

If all conditions are met, the physician can issue a PrEP prescription for 3 months which you can use to obtain the tablets from a pharmacy. A new prescription can be issued every three months when you go to the doctor to be checked.

Man kann sich die PrEP auch auf Privatrezept verschreiben lassen. Medikamente und Untersuchungen muss man dann aber selbst bezahlen. Der PrEP Check kostet bei uns 40 €, die Medikamente gibt es ab 50 € pro Monatspackung als Privatrezept.

WHERE TO OBTAIN PrEP AND ITS COSTS

PrEP can be obtained on a statutory health insurance prescription only if the prescription is issued by a doctor who is familiar with treating HIV patients and/or with PrEP.

If PrEP might be suitable for you to prevent HIV infection statutory health insurance will pay for the medication and for the necessary examinations. Private health insurance providers have their own rules.

You can arrange for an appointment or for a PrEP check through team@checkpoint-freiburg.de or phone number 0761/151466444.

INTAKE AND PrEP CHECKS

PrEP can prevent HIV infection only if the tablets are taken correctly.PrEP medication will be prescribed in daily doses. There are also medication regimes where the tablets are taken in specific situations and these regimes also provide reliable protection.

It is also important that the PrEP is done under medical supervision. Regular PrEP checks help to monitor the effectiveness and provide for opportunities to test for other sexually transmitted diseases.

WHO SHOULD CONSIDER PrEP?

German-Austrian guidelines for PrEP recommend PrEP for people from the age of 16 up with increased (“substantial”) HIV risk. These include, among others,

• Men who have sex with men (MSM), und trans persons who have had anal sex without using a condom in the last three to six months and/or who will probably have anal sex without using a condom in the next months.
• MSM and trans persons who have had a sexually transmitted disease in the last twelve months.
• Partners of people with HIVwho are not in treatment for HIV or who do not respond well to HIV therapy, or for whom HIV therapy has not been effective for at least six months.
• People who have sex without using a condom with partners who are likely to have an undiagnosed HIV infection.
• People who inject drugsand who do not use sterile injection equipment.