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PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS - PREVENTION AGAINST HIV

There are various ways to prevent HIV infection. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is one of the most effective and safe forms. Pre-exposure prophylaxis means preventive use of a medicine that will prevent infection even if HIV gets into your body. If you are using PrEP correctly, your sex will be much safer and you can enjoy it better. One PrEP tablet a day will protect you against HIV infection in up to 99%. If you are at high risk of getting HIV and are taking PrEP, you are responsible. It's about health.

 


 

PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS IS PREVENTIVE PROTECTION AGAINST HIV 

PREP (or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) provides reliable protection against HIV infection. It means almost the same revolution as a condom in sex. This new form of prevention involves taking one tablet a day to protect you from HIV infection. The tablet contains two medicines (emtricitabine and tenofovir) that prevent the HIV infection to settle in the body. According to the American Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, daily use is up to 99% effective against sexually transmitted HIV. PrEP is the ideal solution for HIV-negative who are at higher risk of HIV infection – for example, they have an HIV-positive partner without an undetectable viral load or do not regularly use a condom in anal sex, for whatever the reason.

PrEP must be used before the risk occurs. It's the same as a condom, which you also have to put on before sexual intercourse to protect yourself. PrEP will provide you with excellent protection against HIV infection but cannot protect you from other sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia or hepatitis C.

For safer sex, it is best to combine PrEP with condom and lubricant use and reduce the number of sexual partners. Taking PrEP is associated with regular testing for other sex infections so that you can be treated early and quickly if you become infected with another infection during sex on PrEP. Often sexually transmitted infections may not be noticed at all, especially if they occur in places where you can easily overlook it (eg in the throat or rectum).

 


 

FOR WHO PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS IS SUITABLE PROTECTION

PrEP should only be used by HIV-negative people with normal renal function. PrEP is mainly intended for those who are at increased risk of HIV infection – in the Czech Republic, this applies mainly to men who have sex with men. You should definitely consider taking PrEP if:

  • you do not always use a condom in anal sex
  • you have had sex with more than one partner or group sex
  • you had a sexually transmitted infection in the last year
  • you have sex under the influence of alcohol and / or recreational drugs
  • your partner is HIV positive and has not reached an undetectable viral load
  • you have a sexual partner from any of the above groups

PrEP is not intended for the treatment of HIV infection! People living with HIV are taking a combination of antiretroviral medicines for treatment, taking PrEP alone without other medicines could lead to the development of resistance to medicines, which would then lose their effectiveness. Therefore, the initial HIV test and its outcome is important. The medicine is safe and most users do not report any side effects. Possible side effects (such as diarrhea or nausea) at the start of taking them resolves quickly.

Does PrEP protect me from all sexually transmitted infections?

Unfortunately, no. PrEP provides you with excellent protection against HIV infection but cannot protect you from other sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia or hepatitis C. Therefore, the use of PrEP is associated with regular testing for other sexually transmitted infections so that the user can be on time and quickly cured if they become infected with another infection during sex on PrEP. Often sexually transmitted infections may not be noticed at all, especially if they occur in places where you can easily overlook it (eg in the throat or rectum).

 


 

WHERE AND HOW TO OBTAIN PRE-EXPOSURE PROFECTION

PrEP is not a non-prescription medicine, you will need a prescription to obtain it in a pharmacy. PrEP is prescribed in Prague's PREP POINT House of Light or at one of the cooperating workplaces in seven regions of the Czech Republic.

Before prescribing a PrEP, you will have a few basic tests:

  • HIV test (PrEP is for HIV-negative people only).
  • Renal function test (PrEP should only be used by people with normal renal function)
  • Test for selected sexually transmitted infections (syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B and C). These are not indicative rapid tests, but laboratory tests that are performed from a blood sample, urine and swabs from the neck, rectum and urethra. The tests are covered by health insurance, but you will have to buy PrEP from your own money. The current price of PrEP in pharmacies ranges from 600 to 960 CZK per pack (30 tablets).

If all tests are negative, your doctor will after a week prescribe you PrEP for two months of use. In case of having a positive result for sexually transmitted infection test, you will receive treatment before prescribing PrEP.

HIV tests can reliably detect HIV infection only a few weeks after potential infection. Therefore, the first review of PrEP use is usually planned in just one month. If these tests turn out well, the next control test can be ordered every six months (HIV tests may be repeated more often).

PREP POINT The House of Light provides the prescription of PrEP for the insured persons of the following insurance companies:

  • General Health Insurance Company (Všeobecná zdravotní pojišťovna, VZP / 111) 
  • Health Insurance Company of the Ministry of the Interior Czech Republic (Zdravotní pojišťovna Ministerstva vnitra ČR, ZP MVCR / 211)
  • Reverend Fraternal Treasury (Revírní bratrská pokladna, RBP ZP / 213)

If you are insured by another health insurance company, we recommend you to visit one of the other PrEP outpatient clinics.

 


 

ADVICE FOR USERS OF PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS

Congratulations on your successful decision to switch to PrEP. Your sex will be much safer, so you can enjoy it more without worrying about HIV infection. How is PrEP used? The basic regimen is daily – one tablet a day, taken every day at the same time of the day (eg at breakfast, after brushing your teeth or at bedtime). The daily schedule is suitable for those who lead an irregular sex life and may be at risk of getting HIV at any time of the week. The optimum effect of PrEP with daily use occurs only after approximately 7 days of use – so you should use safer sexual practices and a condom during the first week of taking PrEP.

Take the PrEP tablet once a day (unless you and your doctor have agreed on a different dose) at the same time each day. You may be fasting or after a meal, alcohol and other recreational drugs do not affect PrEP. If you are only exposed to the risk of contracting HIV and are able to anticipate these situations, you may also consider a regime of sudden use. In this case, PrEP is taken at the following dosage: two tablets at the same time 2 to 24 hours before the intended sexual activity, a third tablet 24 hours after first use and a fourth tablet 24 hours later.

If you continue your sexual activity on other days (eg at the weekend), continue taking PREP – one tablet daily until the day of your last sexual intercourse, and then take one booster tablet again 24 hours after sex and the last 48 hours after sex. It is important not to miss any of the PrEP doses in the this sudden use mode!

Choose a mode of using PrEP that fits your sexual needs – how often you have sex and how far ahead you can plan or predict it. Our healthcare professionals will advise you on how to use PrEP if you decide to switch from one regimen to another.

Although PrEP has been operating in the world for several years, it is still new in the Czech Republic. We'll be happy if you share new information with your friends and start a conversation on PREP. If you use online dating, don't worry about sharing your PrEP status with others. PrEP is a sign of responsible approach to sexual health!

 


 

QUESTIONNAIRE - FIRST VISIT

If you are heading to our PrEP Point in the House of Light Prague or in Ústí nad Labem, take a few minutes to complete a questionnaire on your sex life before your first visit. Answering questions in advance will reduce your time in the office and get a better idea of what you and your doctor will talk about.The questionnaire is anonymous, you do not include your name or social security number or any other sensitive information anywhere.In order for the doctor to view the questionnaire with your answers, you need to keep its unique code (either write it down or simply take a picture on your mobile). Now you can start filling in the questionnaire…

 

ORDERING - PREPPOINT HOUSE OF LIGHT PRAGUE

Address: Malého 282/3, Prague 8 - Karlín

We PrEP temporarily: every TUESDAY 1PM - 6PM.

The workplace can provide:

  • Pre-exposure prophylaxis of HIV(PrEP) with antiretroviral agents during the risk of HIV infection – not covered by the health insurance company
  • Post-exposure prophylaxis of HIV(PEP) with antiretroviral agents ideally within 48 hours of risky contact – not covered by the health insurance company.

In this reservation system you can only access PrEP Point in the House of Light in Prague.

Instructions for Visiting:

  • If you are a new applicant for PrEP, you are not using PrEP yet, but would like to use it, choose INPUT EXAMINATION. The same is true if you are already using PrEP but are getting it from a place other than ours. To speed up, fill in our classic pre-test questionnaire – get ready online in advance.
  • If you are already taking PrEP as prescribed in our facility and want to order a follow-up visit, after which you will be prescribed additional doses of PrEP, select a CHECK INSPECTION.
  • If you have completed a follow-up examination in our facility and need to subscribe to report the results of the examinations and issue a prescription for PrEP, select RESULTS + RECIPE.

PREP POINT The House of Light currently provides the prescribing of PrEP for insured persons of the following insurance companies:

  • General Health Insurance Company (Všeobecná zdravotní pojišťovna, VZP / 111) 
  • Health Insurance Company of the Ministry of the Interior Czech Republic (Zdravotní pojišťovna Ministerstva vnitra ČR, ZP MVCR / 211)
  • Reverend Fraternal Treasury (Revírní bratrská pokladna, RBP ZP / 213)

If you are insured by another health insurance company, we recommend you to visit one of the other PrEP outpatient clinics. We will inform you as soon as we have concluded contractual relations with other insurance companies.

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