&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #003366;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Is HIV PrEP?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;Pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP is a type of medication that, when taken as prescribed, can prevent HIV infection. This medication is only suitable for those who do not have HIV but are at higher risk for HIV infection.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;PrEP helps to reduce the risk of contracting HIV.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;At the moment, two medications have been approved for PrEP. When taken regularly, they are both effective at reducing the risk of transmission of HIV.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #003366;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Does PrEP Work in HIV Prevention?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;The two medications used for PrEP belong to a group of antiviral drugs called nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). These drugs work by preventing the process of multiplication by the HIV virus.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;Before you start PrEP, it is advised that you see a doctor and get tested for HIV. It is important that you are negative for HIV before starting PrEP. On top of that, the doctor will also advise you to do a blood test to check your liver and kidney function to make sure they are normal.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;For subsequent follow-ups, You are advised to see the doctor every three months for HIV and also check for common STDs like syphilis, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #003366;&quot;&gt;&lt;a style=&quot;color: #003366;&quot; href=&quot;https://www.pulse-clinic.com.ph/chlamydia-in-the-philippines-symptoms-testing-and-treatment&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;text-decoration: underline;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;chlamydia&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;, and gonorrhoea.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;If you did not test for HIV before starting PrEP and were later found to be HIV positive while taking PrEP, you may develop drug resistance, and this may affect the treatment of your HIV infection.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #003366;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why It is Also Important to See a Doctor Before Starting Prep is so that you can also receive proper counselling and advice on the proper use of PrEP.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;PrEP counselling includes but is not limited to:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;Type of drugs to take&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #003366;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a style=&quot;color: #003366;&quot; href=&quot;https://pulse-clinic.com.ph/how-to-take-prep&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;text-decoration: underline;&quot;&gt;How to take PrEP&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;Importance of compliance&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;Side effects to look out for&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;Importance of regular monitoring&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;Risk of contracting STDs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #003366;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Who is Suitable to Take PrEP?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;Those who are good candidates for PrEP are listed as but not limited to the following:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;Have a sexual partner who is HIV positive&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;Inconsistent use of a condom&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;Have contracted a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the past six months&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;Drug users who share needles (syringes)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;Have an injection partner who has tested positive for HIV&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;Have been prescribed postexposure prophylaxis multiple times&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;Risks vs. benefits of taking PrEP&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #003366;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Pros&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;Very effective in HIV prevention&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;Convenient daily pill dosing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;A good option for serodiscordant couples (only one partner is HIV positive) when trying to conceive&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;Compliance is important&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #003366;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;There are potential side effects.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;Possible side effects&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;Some common side effects of both medications include:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;Diarrhoea&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;Fatigue&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;Headache&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;Nausea&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;If you feel you may be at risk of contracting HIV, do speak to our doctor to find out if PrEP is suitable for you and how you can get started on PrEP.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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