HIV

There are a number of effective ways to reduce your risk of transmitting or acquiring the HIV virus:

• Condoms should be used every time a person engages in unprotected sex to reduce the risk of HIV as well as sexually transmitted diseases (STD).
• Undetectable equals untransmissible (U=U) which means having an undetectable viral load stops the spread of the HIV virus with others. Someone living with HIV and is on effective treatment is therefore able to have sex without passing on the virus.
• PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a medication people at high risk of HIV can take to reduce the risk of HIV and can only be prescribed by a healthcare professional. For more information on PrEP , call 0300 020 0027 to make an appointment at the Integrated Sexual Health Service (ISHS).
• PEP (post exposure prophylaxis) is a medication that can be taken by those who feel they have been exposed to HIV through sex or injecting drug use and should be used in emergency situations only. The medicine helps to prevent HIV infection after the virus has entered a person’s body and must be taken as soon as possible within 72 hours of exposure. For more information on PEP, call 0300 020 0027 to make an appointment with ISHS. During out of hours, please contact NHS 111.

Further information

To learn more, watch this short video explaining the medications available to prevent the spread of HIV or book an appointment at ISHS to speak with a healthcare professional.

It is important to note that PrEP Is not a vaccine against HIV and neither PrEP or PEP protects against other STDs for example chlamydia. Using a condom together with PreP/ PEP is recommended. For more information on how to access free condoms for those aged between 13-26yr olds, please visit the ISHS website.