Pre-exposure prophylaxis is the use of medications used to prevent the spread of disease in people who have not yet been exposed to a disease-causing agent, usually a virus. The term typically refers to the specific use of antiviral drugs as a strategy for HIV/AIDS prevention.

Who qualifies for pre exposure prophylaxis?

Specifically, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that PrEP be considered for people who are HIV negative and who have had anal or vaginal sex in the past 6 months and: have a sexual partner with HIV (especially if the partner has an unknown or detectable viral load), or.

How is PEP different from PrEP?

PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis and PEP stands for post-exposure prophylaxis. Prophylaxis means “treatment or actions taken to prevent a disease.” PrEP is a treatment plan to prevent HIV before a person is exposed while PEP is a treatment plan for after a person is exposed.