HOW TO PREVENT HIV IN AN INFORMED WAY
Enjoy your sex life to the fullest, always in an informed way by using condoms, PrEP and/or medications to achieve an undetectable viral load.
PrEP AS A PREVENTION STRATEGY
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for people who perceive themselves to be at risk of acquiring the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). PrEP prevents HIV transmission through sex and injection drug use. It is a tablet medication that is taken once a day, every day.
Approved medications
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Truvada®: is recommended for people at risk of acquiring the virus through sex or injection drug use.
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Descovy®: is recommended for individuals at risk of acquiring the virus by sex, except for people whose sex assigned at birth is female.
How does it work?
The medications in PrEP treatments prevent the virus from attacking the immune system and replicating. When the virus enters your body, it specifically attacks CD4 T cells (which protect us from viruses and bacteria), using them to replicate and cause HIV infection. Using PrEP as prescribed creates a barrier around the CD4 T cells, inhibiting HIV entry and replication, and preventing infection.
Scientific background
Truvada®, as a strategy for HIV prevention, was approved by the FDA in 2012. Three clinical trials on the treatment's effectiveness as a preventative measure, sponsored by DAIDS, the CDC, the NIAID, the NIH, and the University of Washington, led to its approval. In 2019, Descovy® was approved as another treatment option for HIV prevention as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
THE EXTERNAL CONDOM AS A PROTECTIVE BARRIER
For maximum protection, condoms must be used correctly and consistently . Correct use increases the protection offered by condoms and prevents breakage, leakage, or semen spillage. It is important to use a condom from the start of sexual contact until after ejaculation. Consistent condom use decreases the likelihood of exposure to a sexually transmitted infection.
Effectiveness
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the effectiveness of condoms in preventing STIs and HIV has been demonstrated by both epidemiological and laboratory studies.
Laboratory studies have shown that condoms act as an effective barrier even against the smallest STI microorganisms.
Epidemiological studies comparing HIV infection rates between people who use condoms and those who do not during sexual intercourse, and who have a sexual partner with an HIV-positive diagnosis, demonstrate that consistent condom use is highly effective in preventing HIV. Similarly, epidemiological studies have shown that condom use reduces the risk of acquiring other STIs.
Recommendations
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Use a condom every time you have sex. Put it on before any sexual contact begins.
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Read the package instructions and confirm the expiration date. Check that the condom is not damaged or torn.
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Store condoms in a cool, dry place.
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Use latex or polyurethane condoms (an alternative if you're allergic to latex). Use water-based or silicone-based lubricants to prevent breakage.
Correct use of the condom
References
Brewer, A. (2021). Descovy for PrEP: Get the facts on how it works and more. Medical News Today. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/drugs-desco - vy-for-prep#how-well-descovy-works.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, May 13). Prep. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/prep.html. Gilead. (n.d.). What is DESCOVY for PrEP? Does DESCOVY for PrEP® Work? Retrieved from https://www .descovy .com/clinical-trial-efficacy-results.
NIH. (n.d.). Nucleoside reverse TRANSCRIPTASE INHIBITOR (nrti): NIH. Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor (NRTI) Retrieved from https://clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/en/glossary/nucleoside-reverse-transcriptase-inhibitor-nrti.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Condom Fact Sheet Summary. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/condomeffectiveness/spanish/brief.html