The 411 on PrEP for HIV Intervention

How taking AIDS meds can protect you from HIV.

Antibiotics Linked to Childhood Obesity - Babies and toddlers who have taken four rounds or more of antibiotics before they turn 2 had an 11 percent higher chance of being obese as children, a new study found. It’s believed that these medications may kill off good bacteria whose job is to keep us healthy and active, writes USA Today. (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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Getting the Facts - Recently, news hit that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) set new guidelines for the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as a mode of HIV prevention. But what is PrEP? Who should use it and what are the risks? — Kellee Terrell(Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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What Is PrEP? - PrEP stands for “pre-exposure prophylaxis,” which means preventing an illness before it can happen. In terms of PrEP, it refers to HIV-negative people taking HIV medications every day to stop them from contracting HIV. (Photo: GettyImages)

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But Why Would Anyone Do That? - The reality is that despite many people knowing that protected sex is an effective way to prevent HIV transmission, some people choose to not use condoms; do not feel that using condoms is an option in their relationships and are engaging in high risk sex. PrEP is just another tool in the HIV prevention toolbox. (Photo: GettyImages)

Black Gay Men Living With HIV Are Less Likely to Be on Treatment - The CDC found that Black MSM living with HIV/AIDS have the hardest time staying on their AIDS medications. Researchers found that while 76 percent have been linked to care, only 30.6 percent were retained in care. Even worse: Only 25.9 had their virus under control, compared to 42 percent of all MSM overall. (Photo: Wavebreak Media Ltd/Veer/Corbis)

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How Long Does It Take for PrEP to Work? - Doctors don’t know for sure, but past studies suggest it may take up to 20 days for the best protection in the blood and vaginal tissues and seven days for it to fully work in rectal tissues. In order for PrEP to be effective, you have to take it every day.  (Photo: Wavebreak Media Ltd/Veer/Corbis)

What Does the Science Say? - The science is very hopeful in lowering someone’s risk. In some studies, those taking PrEP consistently had a 92 percent lower chance of contracting HIV compared to those who didn’t take PrEP consistently.(Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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What Does the Science Say? - The science is very hopeful in lowering someone’s risk. In some studies, those taking PrEP consistently had a 92 percent lower chance of contracting HIV compared to those who didn’t take PrEP consistently.(Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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What PrEP Doesn’t Do - While PrEP may be effective in combatting HIV, it won’t protect you from certain STDs (gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, hepatitis, etc). Remember, untreated and undiagnosed STDs can raise your risk for contracting HIV, too. (Photo: Simon Watson/Getty Images)

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Who’s PrEP For? - The CDC recommends that anyone having a sexual relationship with someone living with HIV; gay or bisexual men who do not use condoms or have been diagnosed with an STD in the last six months; heterosexual men and women who don’t always use condoms when having sex with high risk partners; and anyone who in the last six months has been injecting drugs and sharing needles.  (Photo: GettyImages)

Or Nah? - It’s one of the rules that seem to persist no matter who is doing the advising: Don’t have sex on the first date. But why not? And what if you really want to? Here, the pros and cons of getting it in on date one. By Kenrya Rankin Naasel (Photo: Rob Melnychuk/Corbis)

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Should You Still Wear Condoms? - Most definitely. While PrEP is for those engaging in high-risk sexual relationships and/or drug users, that doesn’t mean people should ditch condoms. The CDC still wants people to use condoms in addition to PrEP. (Photo: Rob Melnychuk/Corbis)

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Issues With PrEP - Not everyone believes that PrEP is a good idea for HIV prevention. There are concerns that we don’t know how taking AIDS meds for a long amount of time will affect HIV-negative people’s bodies. There are also worries that people will not take these meds every day because of the side effects. (Photo: 68/Ocean/Corbis)

No More Referrals to See Your Gyno - Before many of us women needed a referral from a primary doc to see a gynecologist, which could mean two different co-pays and two different appointments, but not anymore. This saves us time and money and gives us more control over our health care. (Photo: GettyImages)

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Talk to Your Doctor - If you think that PrEP is for you, please talk to your doctor or a clinic worker. Make sure you write down a list of questions for them to answer. Learn more about PrEP at cdc.gov.(Photo: GettyImages)