What happens if an HIV positive person takes PrEP?

It’s really unlikely you’ll get HIV if you’re using PrEP consistently. But if you do happen to get HIV while using PrEP, it’s important for your health to stop using PrEP right away. PrEP is not a treatment for HIV — in fact, taking PrEP when you have HIV can actually make the virus harder to treat.

How long after HIV exposure can I take PrEP?

It needs to be taken for 4 weeks after any possible HIV infection and can have side effects which can include; diarrhoea, nausea, and severe headaches.

Can you take PEP if you are HIV positive?

PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is medicine that you can take if you are HIV-negative and you believe you have just been exposed to HIV. If you take PEP as directed, it can stop the HIV virus from infecting your body. Do not delay. You need to take PEP as soon as possible after the exposure.

Can I infect someone while on ARVs?

You can’t transmit HIV if you take ARVs correctly and are virally suppressed. Zero risk of HIV transmission via condomless sex. That is what the world’s largest study among HIV-positive gay men, who are on effective antiretroviral (ARV) treatment, has found.

Is PEP effective after 60 hours?

Thus, even though PEP is often offered for up to 72 hours after exposure, it should be initiated as early as possible. After 72 hours, PEP is not effective, and there are gradations in efficacy from 24 hours postexposure, to 36, 48, and 72 hours.

Is PrEP safer than condoms?

With the low number of HIV cases among people actively taking PrEP we are now talking about greater than 99 percent effectiveness, in other words, the pill is more effective at preventing HIV than condoms.

Can I try for a baby while on ARVs?

If you are a woman with HIV and intend to get pregnant, most antiretroviral drugs are considered safe during pregnancy. If you are currently on treatment, you will likely be advised to continue if you become pregnant as long as you have an undetectable viral load.

Does PEP lower your immune system?

PEP drugs are very hard on the immune system. You will need to take special care to stay healthy: plenty of sleep and lots of nutritious food will help your body fight off infection.

What happens if you skip PEP?

Do not double a dose if you miss one. If you do miss a dose and you remember in less than 24 hours, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If you miss more than 48 hours of PEP ( two consecutive doses ) it will be discontinued.

Is PrEP necessary if you use condoms?

PrEP only protects against HIV. Condoms provide protection against other STDs, in particular gonorrhea and chlamydia. Since twice-yearly STD screening is part of maintaining a PrEP prescription, going on PrEP can help you more promptly diagnose and treat any STDs you may contract.

Is PrEP effective after 3 days?

PrEP reaches maximum protection from HIV for receptive anal sex (bottoming) at about 7 days of daily use. For receptive vaginal sex and injection drug use, PrEP reaches maximum protection at about 21 days of daily use.