Introduction:
It is a productive approach to decrease the chance of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection nearly to nil. This unique concept is currently noticed as a more effective method of controlling HIV infection than treating the person after getting the disease. The essential thing to mention is that pre-exposure prophylaxis is solely influential against HIV and does not deliver defense against any other sexually transmitted disease, hepatitis (inflammation of the liver), and blood-borne conditions. The vital component of this regimen is that medication adherence must be complete. People who regularly skip their medicine doses will have an increased chance of developing HIV. Therefore, pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention is the aspect of a variety package that contains help, sex schooling, and guidance about therapy compliance. Pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV was approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) on July 16, 2012.
A unique method to reduce the chance of recent HIV infections in high-risk people has been approved with pre-exposure prophylaxis. The transmission of the virus deeply connects with the amount of the organism in the genital discharge and blood. Antiretroviral medications (HIV is treated with antiretroviral medicines, which function by blocking the virus reproducing in the body) can reduce the infectivity of individuals by lowering the organism's concentration from blood and genital discharge. Today, pre-exposure prophylaxis is no longer just a hypothesis but a clinical application that helps lower the cases of human immunodeficiency virus infection.
What Are HIV and Aids?
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) strikes cells that allow the body to combat disease, weakening individuals to different conditions and illnesses. It is spread by communication with specific bodily discharge or fluid of an individual with HIV, most typically during unprotected lovemaking (sex without a condom) or via sharing syringes and medication equipment. HIV can cause the disease AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). AIDS is the final phase of HIV when the body’s resistance (immune) system is impaired due to the virus.
What Is Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)?
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Pre-exposure prophylaxis is a daily medication to control the evolution of HIV patients. It is suggested that individuals who do not live with HIV have an increased chance of conceiving the condition. Pre-exposure prevention reduces the likelihood of acquiring HIV by guarding the individual and companions against catching the virus. It is not for individuals who already have HIV. Today, there are two typical antiviral medications for pre-exposure prophylaxis. If consumed regularly, they are very effective in controlling HIV cases.
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Medications utilized for pre-exposure prophylaxis belong to a category of antiviral drugs named nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI), and non-nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI).
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They function by preventing the virus from reproducing in the body. Before initiating pre-exposure prophylaxis, and every three months while consuming the medicine, an individual must be screened for HIV and have a negative examination result. Suppose an individual is exposed to HIV or exhibits manifestations of an acute case. In that case, the individual will wait to confirm the negative test outcomes before resuming the pre-exposure prophylaxis medication. Waiting for a negative screening result is significant because pre-exposure prophylaxis cannot cure HIV alone. Medication resistance may grow if pre-exposure prophylaxis is started during an HIV case.
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Prevention counseling is an essential part of pre-exposure prophylaxis. Before beginning pre-exposure prophylaxis treatment, a healthcare expert can assist an individual in sufficiently comprehending the probability of acquiring HIV infection and its prevention approaches, why it might be helpful to assemble pre-exposure prophylaxis, a portion of the everyday habit. The period an individual takes pre-exposure prophylaxis relies on the health aspects.
What Are the Indications for Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Therapy?
Individuals who can take advantage of post-exposure prophylaxis therapy are those who had anal or vaginal sex in the previous six months, individuals who have a sexual companion who has HIV with a noticeable viral burden or an unidentified viral burden, and people who have not utilized a condom always during sex, and people who acquired a sexually transmitted disease in the last six months. It is also suggested for individuals injecting medications, transferring needles (syringes), and having an injection companion detected positive for HIV. If an individual is specified for post-exposure prophylaxis numerous times and has increased possibilities of acquiring HIV, then request a healthcare expert about initiating pre-exposure prophylaxis.
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Therapy?
Advantages:
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The drugs are favorably adequate in controlling HIV cases when consumed daily.
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They can save an individual and companion from HIV transmission.
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It consists of one tablet consumed on time daily, creating it suitable.
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It is discreet and permits individual management of prevention, which can be extremely empowering among individuals with increased possibilities of acquiring HIV.
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It is a choice for individuals who desire to have a newborn.
Disadvantages:
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Dosages are required to consume daily without the skip.
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Individuals are required to experience routine HIV screening (every three months).
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It may not be right for an individual suffering from severe kidney disease or a history of hepatitis B (a liver disorder induced by the hepatitis B virus).
What Are the Side-Effects Associated With Pre-exposure Prophylaxis?
Some expected side effects of both drugs are as follows:
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Exhaustion (tiredness).
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Head pain.
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Nausea and vomiting.
Rare but serious side effects of both include:
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Rash (allergic reaction).
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Liver and kidney issues.
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Aggravating hepatitis B (a liver disorder induced by the hepatitis B virus) cases.
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Lactic acidosis (excess amount of lactic acid in the blood).
Conclusion:
In some regions, drug therapy is too costly. In the various areas, there are no federal policies specified, which causes it challenging for healthcare employees to suggest pre-exposure prophylaxis. The additional restricting element is the absence of understanding among healthcare employees about the availability of this therapy. While attention has grown over the past years among infectious disease specialists, most other healthcare employees beyond this specialty stay clueless. To enhance availability, patients can obtain a prescription for pre-exposure prophylaxis through a mobile application without visiting a healthcare employee. The person documents their details, and the details are sent to a healthcare employee who then decides if the therapy is appropriate. The person must experience a blood examination to confirm HIV-negative results. The one additional element that has restricted the usage of pre-exposure prevention is that many individuals who could profit from this therapy are not conscious of it.
