Tag: PrEP kenya

Why love might have found a new protector

Posted on by Pauline Syombua

We all live to protect those we love and for this reason PrEP also known as Pre-exposure prophylaxis – which is a new HIV prevention approach is an additional tool for people to consider in the HIV prevention toolbox since it reduces the risk of becoming infected when a person is exposed to the virus.

PrEP Campaign

PrEP has shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection through sex and after one comes into contact with sharp objects especially those people who inject drugs.

Before starting the pill, It is very important to make sure you have not been recently infected with HIV in order to avoid increasing your risk of developing drug resistance and limiting your future options for HIV treatment.

PrEP Campaign

However, it is advisable to note that PrEP does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections (STI) or pregnancy and neither is it a cure for HIV.

 

 

 

The most important factor in a relationship is not communication but respect and this little secret! (Details)

Posted on by Pauline Syombua

Lately relationships have become complicated making it hard for people to stick to one partner. However, there are those who find true love and live happily ever after – but this is only after you know your partners status.

With HIV/AIDS everywhere, most people freak out after unprotected sex as they fear to be infected. For this reason, the only way you can love your partner is by protecting them even when it comes to intimacy.

Apart from condoms, there is a new way to protect yourself and the person you love from getting infected.

PrEP Campaign

PrEP which means Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, is an HIV prevention strategy where HIV-negative individuals take anti-HIV medications before coming into contact with HIV to reduce their risk of becoming infected.

This medications work to prevent HIV from establishing infection inside the body. So far it has shown to be safe and effective. A single pill taken once daily, it is highly effective against HIV when taken every day.

PrEP Campaign

PrEP has also made it easier for partners living with different HIV status enabling them to have children of their own without passing the virus from one partner to the other and also having healthy children. It is however advisable to seek more advice from your doctor about such a situation.

Love is protecting those you care about and PrEP is the solution!

Why PrEP is important for sexually active people

Posted on by Pauline Syombua

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis is a pill that can help prevent you from getting HIV every time you have unprotected sex or when exposed to the virus.

In several studies of PrEP, it has shown that the pill has lowered the chances of getting infected by 92% mostly for those who are consistent in taking the pill.

It is important to take the pill each day as it has a high level protection against HIV and is even more effective when combined with Condoms.

It is however important to note that the pill should be taken everyday and one should visit a health center after every 3 months for check ups and follow ups just to be on the safe side.

PrEP in other words is a pill that will help you be in control of your own health especially when you are sexually active.

 

 

This is how effective PrEP is!

Posted on by Pauline Syombua

PrEP is the most safest way of HIV prevention for now. However, one has to make sure they take this pill daily to maximize the effectiveness at preventing HIV.

About condoms:

Taking PrEP every day will keep you from getting HIV infection. However PrEP will not protect you from other STI’s such as gonorrhea, genital warts, syphilis etc. or unwanted pregnancy. You must use condoms correctly and consistently in order to be fully protected from all STI’s and unwanted pregnancy

Using PrEP

For PrEP to be effective, one needs to take it for at least 7 days before any exposure to HIV. Thereafter, the PrEP pill should be taken once a day for as long as a person remains at risk of HIV infection (or as advised by the Health care provider). You should not take 2 pills at the same time or on the same dayto make up for a missed dose. PrEP best works when used with another prevention method such as condoms

When we say PrEP is 99% effective, that means that when PrEP is taken every day as prescribed, it prevents 99% of the cases of HIV that would have occurred otherwise.

How effective is PrEP? (Details)

Posted on by Pauline Syombua

PrEP is the most safest way of HIV prevention for now. However, one has to make sure they take this pill daily to maximize the effectiveness at preventing HIV.

Unlike condoms which offer 70% safety, PrEP is safe by 99% meaning it is a better method of preventing HIV when used all the time. You can also use both methods if need be, just to increase the level of effectiveness.

In 2009, a large study showed that not only was it effective at treating HIV, but also at preventing HIV when taken every day.  Since then, several studies have confirmed that it is incredibly effective at prakes into account things like missed doses, interactions with other medications a person might be taking, or other illnesses that might be present.

When we say PrEP is 99% effective, that means that when PrEP is taken every day as prescribed, it prevents 99% of the cases of HIV that would have occurred otherwise.

Looking for PrEP? Here is where you can easily get them

Posted on by Pauline Syombua

Having understood that PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a pill taken daily by people who are HIV negative to protect them from HIV infection, many are not aware where they can get the pills.

However, the good news is that you can simply get them at all chemists and clinics located in the CBD or your local hood pharmacies .

This however does not mean that they should be abused in any way simply because they are available.

Before deciding on whether you need this pill, one needs to first confirm that they are HIV negative and then proceed with buying of the pill which will act as ‘the morning after pill’ but in this case it will play the role of protecting you from getting HIV.

If you are HIV positive then PrEP is not for you. What you need to do is stick to your medicine (ARV’s) which will be helpful in keeping you healthy and strong.

Remember, it takes about 1 week (after starting your 1 pill per day) for the PrEP to reach maximum levels your system and give you full protection.

Also, if you are on PrEP and taking it correctly, you need not worry about a sexual partner’s HIV status because you are protecting your own negative status by taking PrEP.

Why PrEP should not be substituted for Condoms

Posted on by Pauline Syombua

‘PrEP’ which stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis – is a pill taken daily by people who are HIV negative to protect them from HIV infection.

This however does not mean that one should stop using protection while having sex with their partners. Just to be on the safe side one needs to understand that PrEP only plays the part of protecting people from contracting HIV and from judging from how the number of people living with HIV has reduced it shows how reliable PrEP is.

But as much as it is recommended by various doctors, it is important to note that the only way to stay safe and sure is by always using protection – especially if one is not planning to get pregnant or if one has various partners which will help reduce catching sexually transmitted infections.

Even if you’re in a monogamous relationship, it can take a while for some STIs to show up on a test. That’s why it’s best to stay protected from STIs even if you add a ‘serious’ birth control method into the mix. If you’re using a barrier method that involves spermicide (like a diaphragm, cervical cap, or sponge), it’s important to double up with a condom since spermicide can irritate the lining of the vagina and other sensitive skin, making it easier to contract an STI.

Therefore doubling up on methods is the best policy. Also, not to mention good sex – goes hand in hand with good communication and trust. That’s why we are so on board with advising people on using protection whenever having sex.

For those who think sex is boring with condoms, let us remind you that you can make it sexier by staying safe.