In the know

Pre exposure prophylaxis as a way of preventing spread of HIV

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (or PrEP) is a way for people who do not have HIV infection but who are at very high risk of getting HIV to prevent HIV infection by taking a pill every day. The pill (brand name Truvada) contains two medicines (tenofovir and emtricitabine) that are used in combination with other medicines to treat HIV. When someone is exposed to HIV through sex or injection drug use, these medicines can work to keep the virus from establishing a permanent infection. PrEP is one of the greatest ways of preventing HIV and can be restarted anytime you feel your risk will increase in future.