PrEP stands for pre publicity prophylaxis for HIV. It ought to be thought-about for anybody who’s participating in an exercise with a excessive danger for buying human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
This consists of high-risk sexual exercise but additionally injection drug use. In fact, utilizing condoms and avoiding injection drug use are the very best methods to keep away from HIV, but when this isn’t doable, PrEP can stop an individual from buying what’s at the moment a lifelong an infection.
Many individuals suppose that HIV is a factor of the previous. Sadly, it’s nonetheless right here.
In 2018, the Pennsylvania Division of Well being estimated that there have been 123 individuals dwelling with HIV in Cambria County.
HIV can result in AIDS and is often unfold by publicity to physique fluids or tissue from an contaminated particular person.
Intercourse between males, heterosexual intercourse and injection drug use are the commonest methods of turning into contaminated.
HIV infects folks and causes injury by taking up cells within the immune system – the a part of the physique which fights infections. If left untreated, HIV normally progresses to AIDS, incapacity and in the end dying.
Though no treatment or vaccine is at the moment obtainable, HIV is a treatable power well being situation, and people can reside regular lives. Extremely lively antiretroviral remedies (HAART) first turned obtainable within the mid-Nineties and have vastly improved over time.
These remedies are very efficient in stopping or slowing the development of the illness and have the additional advantage of lowering the chance of transmitting the virus to others.
Some persons are needlessly fearful they could contract HIV from actions that don’t transmit HIV.
HIV shouldn’t be unfold by mosquitoes, ticks or different bugs or by way of saliva, tears or sweat. It is usually not unfold by hugging, shaking arms, sharing bathrooms, sharing dishes or closed-mouth or “social” kissing with somebody who has HIV. Sexual actions that don’t contain the alternate of physique fluids don’t unfold HIV.
In contrast to COVID-19 it isn’t unfold by way of the air.
Though instances have been identified and persons are dwelling with HIV illness in almost each county within the state, HIV illness has had a disproportionate impression on folks of coloration and is extra frequent in bigger cities. Folks dwelling with HIV in Cambria County come from all walks of life.
In case you are utilizing injection medicine you need to keep away from sharing syringes, needles, straws or different injection supplies. PrEP could be a method to shield your self from HIV. The medicines in PrEP are additionally used to deal with HIV. If you end up taking them after which are uncovered to HIV, the HIV is unable to make copies of itself and so it may be eradicated from the physique. It may be a capsule taken every day or an injection each eight weeks. Earlier than you begin, you’ll have to have blood work to verify you don’t have already got HIV and that you’ve got good kidney perform.
PrEP may be very efficient. If used a prescribed it decreases the danger of HIV from sexual exercise by 99% and from injection drug use by 74%.
In case you or somebody you understand, needs to cease injection drug use, there are various assets that can assist you. The Cambria County Drug coalition webpage lists quite a few assets for detox inpatient and outpatient amenities. The Single County Authority is a superb useful resource in case you are questioning about insurance coverage protection and different monetary considerations. They’re situated at Central Park Complicated, 110 Franklin St., Suite 200, Johnstown. They are often reached at 814-536-5388 weekdays or 814-535-8531 weekends/evenings.
For opiate use dysfunction, the simplest remedies use medicines to lower cravings. These medicines embrace buprenorphine, methadone and naltrexone. The Cambria County Drug Coalition web site lists many native suppliers of those remedies.
Some folks suppose taking these medicines is “buying and selling one habit for one more.”
Habit entails looking for the treatment usually in any respect prices – jeopardizing well being, household relationships and monetary well-being.
Most individuals taking opiate alternative remedy are in a position to perform usually in society.
In conclusion, PrEP is an underutilized method to stop HIV. It permits folks to guard their very own well being and stops the unfold of HIV in our neighborhood. Ask your physician or different well being care useful resource for those who suppose PrEP could be best for you.
Dr. Jeanne Spencer is this system director of the DLP Conemaugh Household Drugs residency program. She can be the medical director of the Ryan White HIV clinic at Conemaugh and a board member of Cambria County Drug Coalition.
Dr. Jeanne Spencer is this system director of the DLP Conemaugh Household Drugs residency program. She can be the medical director of the Ryan White HIV clinic at Conemaugh and a board member of Cambria County Drug Coalition.
