PrEP

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  RHP User

  6 years ago

  Prep is one option but it’s not perfect and in my opinion it is nowhere near as effective as condom; “PrEP only works if you use it. If you use PrEP consistently and correctly, it is 92%–99% effective in reducing your HIV risk, whether you use a condom or not. PrEP does not protect against STIs, like gonorrhea, Chlamydia, or syphilis, and does not prevent pregnancy.” https://prepfacts.org/prep/the-questions/ In other words, condoms prevent most things getting into your system by stopping the fluid transfer altogether. With prep alone, you’ll have the fluid in your system and hope that prep will work. Too much of a risk, considering it doesn’t stop whole lot of other things. Doesn’t worth exposing one’s self to such diseases.

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  Mask_007

  6 years ago

  Thank you for that. Definitely learning something.

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  TouchofParadise7

  6 years ago

  Hmmm...that’s a shame.

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  RHP User

  6 years ago

  Came across an article on Prep some time ago and general interest kicked in and stared reading about it. It is now on the PBS in Australia, but needs a doctors authority and due to the cost (about $100 per month on PBS and something like $1000 per month without), you need to be in a high risk group such as gay/bisexual men, uninflected partner of someone who carries HIV, or other high risk groups. Scripts are issued every three months and a HIV test is done with each renewal. Men are protected after 14 days of taking it correctly and 30 days for women and even though as centaur said, its 92-98 percent effective, it is considered safer than a condom as there hasn’t been a single recorded case of infection even among couples where one is positive. But there always has to be a level of theoretical risk added as nothing can be classed as 100% effective 100% of the time. But regardless, it does nothing for every other STI or pregnancy, so basically it is just a second level of protection for that peace of mind that you won’t get HIV ...... does not remove the need for condoms. It was interesting reading, especially when you consider how far we have come in the last 20 years with it.

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  SpicyKale

  6 years ago

  Ok, I'll add to everything that's already been mentioned so far... besides the stds that have been mentioned it's hpv and hsv that can't be cured with antibiotics. Gardasil 9 will cover the cancer causing hpv stains and worth a look for anyone in the lifestyle anyway. If you were vaccinated when you were younger, the new version covers a lot more. I think you need to be under 45 to get the vaccine. Hep A & B shots might be worth a thought too. I ended up on truvada (the drug used for Prep) after a needle stick injury at work, so I can give a bit of insight. I was only on it for a month as a just in case after the accident. Side effects wise it's not uncommon to get nauseous for at least the first week, sometimes longer. I was off my food the entire time, but that could have been stress related. It also gave me odd dreams and had me waking up at 4am everyday, also not an uncommon side effect. Personally the side effects were bad enough that I wouldn't contemplate it as Prep, but a lot of people manage it quite well. As an aside, I didn't play with anyone for six months after the accident and I had the all clear. As you can imagine I read up on things quite a bit when it was given to me... the drug takes a lot longer to become effective in the vagina compared to the rectum. As a result if you're a female you can't use the on demand dosing for an event you're going to, you need to be on it 24/7. Do you really play enough to take something daily? Have a read about the potential kidney and liver function issues. I'm definitely not qualified to give advice on Prep and it's definitely a groundbreaking drug for those at high risk, so please don't think I'm trying to talk you out of it. Just do your own research before taking the leap. If it is something you're seriously thinking about, find someone in lgbtiq health that has experience in prescribing Prep, I doubt your local gp would have much of an idea. Oh... and as much as condoms suck, they're still the best option, at least for us anyway. Hope this helps Mr Kale

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  RHP User

  6 years ago

  From what I read before, you are right about general GP’s. At this time I think it is only available through sexual health clinics and those GP’s specialising in the lgbtig needs like those offering rapid hiv testing. Most GP’s know little about it. We had the same thoughts too .... for the cost and the fact that it is a very strict dosing regime; how often would you really fall back on it. Condoms are still required for everything else anyway and definitely still the best option. Unless you are into much riskier practices like bareback gangbangs, I actually doubt that simply being a couple in the swinging lifestyle would qualify anyway.

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  SpicyKale

  6 years ago

  Robjen, there has been a few confirmed cases of of hiv infection amoungst those taking Prep and following the dosing recommendations. That's the clincher, "following the recommendations", ie not missing doses. Having a quick read now at lunch it looks like there's been a few transmissions with people taking it on demand as well. From what I can work out one was a doctor too, so you'd think he was taking it correctly. The pbs script price should be $39 something going on my last asthma repeat. Glad we're not in the states, I heard mention on a lifestyle podcast yesterday of it being $3000 a month if you didn't have healthcare! None of that takes away from how effective it is in preventing hiv transmission and yes it appears more effective than using condoms. Although as I mentioned before it doesn't cover all of the other stds. One thing that is always mentioned in a lot of articles, is that it puts hiv prevention in your hands rather that a partners

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  TouchofParadise7

  6 years ago

  This is all very helpful. Hmmm...food for thought....

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  thecatsmeowaus

  6 years ago

  The HIV infection risk for hetero person is low in Australia. Prep efficacy is heavily reliant on compliance. Prep does not safeguard against other STI’s. Condoms are most effective prophylaxis against STI second to abstinence. Be a responsible adult, use condoms.

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  SpicyKale

  6 years ago

  A bit of education on a subject so people can make informed decisions about their own health goes a long way. The OP asked a question about a topic they weren't sure about, good on them for researching it. At no point has anyone suggested anything other than using condoms, people have just passed on information to the OP. With so many posts on unsafe practices this week it would be great to keep this one on track Telling someone "just don't" never works, pointing them in the direction of information that can help them make an informed decision is generally a better idea in my experience 😊

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