PrEP
“PrEP” stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. It is an FDA-approved once-a-day prevention pill for people who don’t have HIV but who have a greater exposure to HIV through sex or other behaviors. When taken every day, PrEP is up to 99% effective at preventing an HIV infection that is transmitted through sex.
PrEP does not prevent other STIs or pregnancy. You can use PrEP with other prevention methods, like condoms, to offer more protection as PrEP. For PrEP to work effectively, people who use it must take it every day as prescribed and follow up with their doctor or medical team member every 3 months for routine screening and discussion of barriers to adherence.
PrEP is designed for anyone who does not have HIV but who has a greater exposure to HIV. It can be prescribed to heterosexual people, gay, bisexual and queer people, transgender people, non-binary people, and more – there is no “right” or “wrong” identity for PrEP. PrEP helps people who inject drugs as well as those whose sexual partner(s) include people who are HIV-positive stay HIV-negative.
You might consider PrEP if:
- You and/or your partner(s) don’t always use condoms (external or internal) when you have sex.
- You have been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the last six months.
- You’re unsure of the HIV status of your sexual partner(s).
- Your sexual partner(s) are HIV-positive.
- You are a person who injects drugs, or you’re having sex with an injection drug user.
- You are HIV-negative and interested in taking PrEP.
Appointments
Our PrEP Clinic team can help you schedule an appointment with a medical provider and quickly assist you with future refills.
To learn more about PrEP, email prepclinic@whitman-walker.org, text 202.804.3823, or call 202.939.7690 to a member of our PrEP Clinic team.