HIV Prevention
There are a number of different ways you can prevent getting HIV and also protect sexual partners if you are living with HIV.
There are a range of treatments/medications (PEP/PrEP) that can be taken before and after sex that are extremely effective when taken properly, along with other effective ways to prevent HIV . Please read below for further information and how to access these preventative tools:
When HIV first gets into the bloodstream, it can take time before the virus permanently infects someone. PEP can prevent this happening, if given quickly enough
PEP is a course of medication that is taken after sex if someone feels they have been exposed to HIV. This may be due
- to a condom failure with someone who is known to be HIV positive and not on effective HIV treatment, or who has a high chance of being HIV positive
- someone being sexually assaulted
It needs to be started within 72 hours after exposure. The sooner the treatment is started, the more effective it is. PEP is not guaranteed to always work but has a high success rate
If you feel you need to take PEP, please call 01582 497070 and state you’d like to talk to someone about a PEP assessment. Your risk will be assessed and we will advise whether PEP is suitable for you, what the treatment involves and possible side effects.
Outside of LSH clinical opening hours, you can go to Accident & Emergency at Luton & Dunstable Hospital (outside of Luton, please check with your local hospital trust)
PrEP is a course of medication that can be taken before sex that can protect you from HIV. It is extremely effective when taken properly. PrEP does not protect you against other STI’s so condoms can also be used alongside PrEP.
PrEP is available free on the NHS and from LSH.
If you would like to start PrEP, please call 01582 497070 and ask for a PrEP Doctor appointment. We will book you a telephone consultation to talk to you about PrEP and to assess your suitability. You need to be HIV negative to start using PrEP.
As part of your consultation, we will send you online information about the different ways in which you can take PrEP
As part of your ongoing care, every 3 months we test for HIV & other STI’s
Further Information
For more information on PrEP (including where you can buy if you would rather source it differently) please visit the websites below:
Condoms, if used correctly, offer up to 98% protection against STI’s, including HIV.
Condoms and lube are available free from LSH through our condom card scheme. We have a varied range of condoms, including non-latex, flavoured condoms and different sizes.
Condoms can be used alongside PrEP to protect against other STI’s.
Condom Card Scheme (C-Card) – Luton Sexual Health
Having honest conversations with your partner about sex helps to explore different choices around protection from HIV for everyone involved. Below are some considerations:
- discuss sexual history, including when you/your partner may have last had a sexual health screen
- get screened together before you have sex
- access free condoms & lube
- discuss being HIV positive with your partner and provide information about your treatment & care
- access PrEP/PEP if appropriate
- having regular testing for HIV
If you engage in chemsex, there are ways that you can make the sex you have safer and reduce the risk of blood borne infections, including HIV.
LSH can provide slamming kits (as part of a sexual health consultation) that includes equipment that is colour co-ordinated so you and other partners only use equipment belonging to you/them. This includes:
- measuring syringes,
- needle syringes
- spoons with filters
- straws
- sharps bin.
If you do not engage in chemsex but use drugs recreationally, it is still advisable not to share any drug injecting equipment with other people.
It is also important to think of the affects of drugs and alcohol on sexual health decision making – consent, negotiating condom use, types of sexual activities you engage in and sexual performance.
If you need support around drug and alcohol use you can access Resolutions who also provide support around chemsex
HIV medication works by reducing the amount of the virus (viral load) in the blood to undetectable levels (U=U: Undetectable = Untransmittable). This means the levels of HIV are so low that the virus cannot be passed on, even if you are having condom less sex
This can also been known as TasP – Treatment as Prevention. TasP works when a person with HIV takes HIV medicine exactly as prescribed and has regular follow-up care, including routine viral load tests to ensure their viral load stays undetectable.
Spreading the U=U message is also an important way to help reduce the stigma experienced by people living with HIV