PrEP is medicine - pills or shots - that prevents HIV before exposure, for adults and adolescents without HIV whose sex or injection life carries real risk, per the CDC.
Taken as prescribed, it is highly effective. It fits people with an HIV-positive partner, inconsistent condom use with unknown-status partners, an STI diagnosis in the past 6 months, or shared injection equipment. Expect an HIV test before starting and regular testing while on it; the shot removes the daily-pill adherence question. PrEP covers HIV only - condoms still carry the other STIs.
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Common questions
What is PrEP and who should take it?
PrEP - pre-exposure prophylaxis - is medicine that prevents HIV before exposure happens: per the CDC, it comes as pills or shots and is for adults and adolescents without HIV who may be exposed through sex or injection drug use. Taken as prescribed, it is highly effective - the reason it transformed HIV prevention for people at ongoing risk. Who the CDC says it fits: people with a sexual partner who has HIV (especially with a detectable or unknown viral load), people who do not consistently use condoms with partners of unknown status, people diagnosed with another STI in the past 6 months, and people who inject drugs and share equipment. The practical shape: an HIV test before starting (PrEP is only for people currently negative) and regular testing every few months while on it, plus kidney monitoring for the pills; the shot option removes the daily-pill adherence question. Side effects are usually mild and early - nausea in the first weeks for some on the pills. PrEP protects against HIV only - condoms still carry the other STIs. Pymander, a free AI doctor available 24/7 by text, can help you think through whether it fits your situation.