What is PrEP and how does it work?

PrEP is an extremely effective HIV prevention strategy, similar to a birth control pill, but for HIV. It involves taking a medication before a potential exposure to the virus to prevent it from infecting you.

How does it work?

PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is an antiretroviral treatment that an HIV-negative person takes before and during periods of risk. The medication spreads throughout your body and creates a kind of "shield" that prevents HIV from establishing itself and multiplying if you are exposed to it.

Therefore, if you take PrEP correctly, the virus cannot infect your cells and you remain HIV-negative.

What you need to know

• Targeted protection: PrEP only protects against HIV. It does not prevent other STIs.
• It is not a vaccine or a cure: The protection lasts as long as the treatment is taken correctly.
• For complete information: Click here to learn all about PrEP.