World AIDS Day: Protecting Our Community with PEP and PrEP
by Meagan Rico, MSN, RN, Health Educator
Did you know that there are special medicines that can help stop the spread of HIV? They're called PEP and PrEP. These medicines are crucial for keeping people healthy. December 1st marks World AIDS Day, which was begun in 1988 to raise awareness of the spread of HIV infections. It’s been 36 years since the designation, and medicine has made many new discoveries, including new medications to help prevent the spread of HIV. Let's learn about them and why they matter for our communities in Kansas.
What are HIV and AIDS?
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus, and it is a kind of virus that can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV damages the body’s immune system and makes it more difficult for the body to fight other infections and diseases and, when left untreated, can lead to AIDS. Thanks to treatments like PEP and PrEP, most people in the U.S. don’t get AIDS.
What are PEP and PrEP?
PEP stands for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis. It's a medicine you take right after you might have been exposed to HIV. PrEP stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. It's a medicine you take every day to prevent getting HIV.
How PEP Works
If you think you might have been exposed to HIV, you can take PEP. The provider who prescribed the medication will advise you to take it within 72 hours (3 days) after the possible exposure. PEP can stop HIV from spreading in your body if you take it quickly.
How PrEP Works
PrEP is for people who don't have HIV but are at risk of getting it. You take it every day, like a vitamin. When you take PrEP regularly, it can stop HIV from infecting you if you're exposed to it.
Why PEP and PrEP are Important
These medicines are essential because they can stop HIV before it makes you sick. They give people more control over their health. PEP and PrEP have helped lower the number of new HIV cases in the United States.
PEP and PrEP Help Everyone
PEP and PrEP aren't just for specific groups. They can help anyone who might be at risk of HIV. This includes people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.
Determining Your Risk for HIV
Understanding whether you are at risk for HIV involves considering several factors related to your lifestyle and health history. Key risk factors include having unprotected sex with multiple partners, being engaged in sex work, sharing needles or syringes, or having a partner who is HIV positive or whose HIV status is unknown. Additionally, having a sexually transmitted infection (STI) can increase your risk of contracting HIV. To assess your risk accurately, it's important to have open discussions with your doctor about your sexual practices and any concerns you may have. They can provide personalized advice, recommend regular testing, and guide you on preventive measures like PEP and PrEP if you're at risk.
HIV in Kansas
Kansas is a state with fewer HIV cases compared to many other states. But it's still important to know about HIV in our community.
HIV Numbers in Kansas
In 2022, about 147 out of every 100,000 people in Kansas were living with HIV. This means that Kansas has a lower rate of HIV than many other places. But we still need to be careful and protect ourselves.
Who is Affected by HIV in Kansas
HIV can affect anyone, but some groups in Kansas may be at higher risk. It's important to know that HIV doesn't discriminate. Anyone can get it, regardless of age, gender, or background.
How PEP and PrEP Help Kansas
PEP and PrEP are helping to keep HIV numbers low in Kansas. They're part of why we have fewer HIV cases than many other states. But we need to keep using them to stay healthy.
Getting PEP and PrEP in Kansas
PEP and PrEP are available from doctors and health clinics in Kansas. The Saline County Health Department can help you learn more about these medicines and how to get them.
The Bigger Picture: HIV in the United States
While we focus on Kansas, it's good to know what's happening in the whole country. In 2022, there were about 31,800 new HIV cases in the United States. This number is going down, which is good news.
Good News About HIV
The number of new HIV cases in the U.S. went down by 12% from 2018 to 2022. This means fewer people are getting HIV. PrEP and other prevention methods are helping a lot.
Who is Most Affected
In the U.S., some groups have more HIV cases than others:
- Men who have sex with men (MSM) had the most new cases in 2022 (67% of all new cases).
- People aged 25-34 had the most new cases among all age groups.
- More men than women had new HIV infections in 2022.
How You Can Help
You can help stop HIV in our community. Here's what you can do:
1. Learn about PEP and PrEP.
2. Talk to your doctor about whether PEP or PrEP is right for you.
3. Get tested for HIV regularly if you're at risk.
4. Share what you learn with friends and family.
5. Support people living with HIV in our community.
PEP and PrEP are potent tools in the fight against HIV. They're helping to keep HIV rates low in Kansas and across the country. By learning about these medicines and using them when needed, we can all help keep our community healthy. Remember, the Saline County Health Department is here to help. We can answer your questions about PEP, PrEP, and HIV. With tools like PEP and PrEP, we have more power than ever to stop HIV. Let's use that power to protect ourselves and our community.
Are you interested in learning more about how the Saline County Health Department provides services to those living with HIV? Consider visiting the HIV Case Management webpage.
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