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

Answer: Simon Collins

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