HIV PREVENTION
RISK REDUCTION
Huron County Public Health can talk about ways to reduce your risk of getting HIV. Ways to reduce your risk of HIV include choosing less risky sexual behaviors, abstinence (not having sex), limiting your number of sexual partners, using condoms the right way every time you have sex, and never sharing needles.
PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PrEP)
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), sold under the name Truvada® or Descovy can be 96% to 99% effective if taken daily, to prevent a person from getting HIV from an HIV positive partner.
Huron County Public Health can assist those interested in PrEP with getting on PrEP and can refer those on PrEP to payment assistance programs for which can help to cover some of the costs associated with PrEP.
POST-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PEP)
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) can be taken within 72 hours of a possible HIV exposure. If someone who is HIV negative and not taking PrEP experiences sexual violence or has sex without a condom with someone who might be living with HIV, PEP may be the right option.
LIVING WITH HIV
REDUCING RISK OF TRANSMITTING
To prevent passing HIV to others it is important to take medications to treat HIV infection called antiretroviral therapy (ART) as prescribed, visit your doctor regularly, use condoms the right way every time you have sex, choose less risky sexual behaviors, if you inject drugs, never share your needles, and talk to your partner about them getting on PrEP if they are HIV negative to lower their risk of getting HIV.
Getting and keeping an undetectable viral load, the amount of HIV in the blood, is achievable with an appropriate treatment plan. Having an undetectable viral load allows you to stay healthy and have effectively no risk of transmitting HIV to an HIV-negative sexual partner.
RESOURCES
For questions about sexual health, HIV, and STI's call the OHIV HIV Hotline at 1-800-332-2437
Know your Status
Testing services are available at Huron County Public Health and throughout Ohio here
