Question
What meds can I use to protect myself for HIV?
1 August 2019. Related: Access to treatment, All topics, PrEP.
Good day. I am From South Africa. I just found out that my partner got HIV positive but am HIV negative without hurting her feelings how can I get this medication for my own use to protect myself from getting infected.
Answer
Hi there
Thanks for your email – and for talking about your situations.
First, how is your partner feeling now? This might be a difficult time for both of you :)
The medicine you can use now to protect yourself is called PrEP. This involves just taking one pill a day.
Here is a link to a site in SA with more info:
https://www.prepwatch.org/country/south-africa
This is a link about PrEP that we produce for the UK which has other general info:
https://i-base.info/guides/prep
Your partner should also be offered treatment by here doctor. South Africa has a good programme of access to fee HIV treatment (called ART). This means your partner will be able to stay healthy and have a normal life.
Someone on HIV treatment with undetectable viral load, this will also protect you too. See here for more information on this:
https://i-base.info/u-equals-u-qa
Hi Celebrity,
Thanks very much for your comment.
VERY GOOD
Hi Justin,
Thanks for this comment.
Very important info for a lot of youths out here