A substantial body immunity helps in curbing many diseases hence living a healthy lifestyle is always crucial. It includes avoiding the threats such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It lowers the immunity and can later even develop into AIDS. Luckily, some treatments help in preventing someone from getting HIV in the first place. These are the pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medications. In New York, there are family practice medical centers that can offer help in this. The PrEP in East Village, NY, can be fundamental in one’s life when done at the right time. There are different aspects that people don’t know; hence getting a breakdown of things is critical.
Understanding PrEP
Pre-exposure prophylaxis is a preventative treatment against HIV, and it plays a crucial part in reducing the infection rates within a region. Statistics indicate that more than one million Americans are living with HIV. This figure could have been more if it weren’t for the PrEP. HIV is resistant to the immunity of the body; hence will still survive and multiply. Since there is no apparent cure, it is always good to stop the spread into the body from the first place since pre-exposure prophylaxis is significant.
Why Consider PrEP?
A doctor will always hold discussions with you to clarify which groups of people are in a riskier position of getting HIV. The medics analyze your lifestyle and see if there are factors such as having multiple partners, drug abuse, health care work, to mention a few. These situations need one to be ever-ready by having the pre-exposure prophylaxis. You will also get guidance on the dosage and the need to follow it.
What Do PrEP Therapies Involve?
In the PrEP therapies, the doctor will introduce some oral medications. These drugs are generally safe and efficient. Some minor side effects such as nausea may emerge, which typically vanish after a short time. Since the doctor already has your medical history, it will be apparent if your body can tolerate the medications.
These therapies are generally accurate since doctors will lay necessary pans to achieve the primary goal, which is to prevent the virus. In this case, you will undertake an HIV test to ascertain that you haven’t contracted any before administering the medications. Afterward, you will need to take follow-up tests which are in intervals of three months.
Taking Other Protective Measures
There is this notion that when taking pre-exposure prophylaxis, there is no need to use other protection during sexual activities. You should always employ every measure to shield yourself well from the virus. For instance, using a condom helps in many ways, such as preventing not only HIV but also sexually transmitted diseases and infections. These include gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, and the human papillomavirus. Additionally, you are also safe from unwanted pregnancy. Your doctor will sensitize you on why it’s essential to be safe.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis is a necessary treatment that shields HIV from entering the body. This virus has no apparent cure; hence the only way to deal with it is by curbing the spread. What is significant is finding a reliable medical center that can offer the right solutions. Even as you take the PrEP medications, taking preventative measures such as having protected sex is still relevant.
