The number of new HIV patients in Amsterdam has fallen by at least 79 percent since 2010. This decrease is partly due to the prevention pill PrEP. But what is that actually? And will we ever get rid of the HIV virus completely? Five questions about PrEP.
1. What is PrEP and how does it work?
PrEP is a medicine that ensures that you do not get HIV if you come into contact with it. The substances in PrEP ensure that the cells that the HIV virus is trying to invade are protected against it. This way, the virus cannot multiply in your body and is effectively removed by your immune system.
You can take PrEP in two ways. The first way is to take a pill at the same time every day. You can also only take PrEP before and after sex. Then you must take a pill within 24 hours before sex and two days after sex.
What is HIV?
HIV is an STD. You get it by having unprotected sex with someone who has HIV and is not being treated for it. PrEP or a condom protects you against this.
The HIV virus breaks down the immune system. If your immune system is so weakened that your body can no longer protect itself, you have the disease AIDS.
Once you have HIV, it is treated with HIV inhibitors. This means you cannot pass HIV on to others and you will not get AIDS. Nevertheless, someone with HIV will never be cured.
In the Netherlands, men who have sex with men have an increased risk of contracting HIV. As far as we know, there were 427 new HIV infections in 2021. In 58 percent of those cases, this was due to sex between two men.
2. How well does PrEP work and what are the disadvantages?
“Several studies have shown that when used properly, the pills provide protection of more than 95 percent. That is better than using condoms,” a spokesperson for the GGD Amsterdam told NU.nl.
The pills do have side effects such as headache, nausea and stomach problems, but these usually go away after two weeks of PrEP. There is also a small risk of kidney failure if you take the pills. It is therefore important to test this regularly.
PrEP is only for people who do not yet have HIV. In people who already have HIV, PrEP can make the treatment less successful. It is therefore important to test yourself regularly for HIV if you take PrEP.
3. Who is PrEP intended for and how do you obtain the drug?
PrEP is intended for people at increased risk of HIV. These are mainly men who have sex with men. A majority of HIV infections occur in this group.
Currently, only those men and transgender people who are at a higher risk of HIV are eligible for the pill. This group will be expanded from next year. This makes the pill, for example, also available to people who do not belong to the risk group themselves, but who do have sex with someone from the risk group.
To be allowed to take PrEP, you must request this from your doctor. It will then also be discussed whether you need PrEP. You will receive a referral for the medication from your GP. The pills can therefore be obtained from the GGD.
PrEP is not reimbursed by your health insurance. It costs about 7 euros for thirty pills. Sometimes part of the costs are reimbursed by the GGD. Then you only pay a small amount, usually around 7.50 euros for ninety pills. From next year, people will have to pay more for the pill, about 30 euros per month.
4. PrEP prevents HIV in more than 95 percent of cases. Can PrEP provide a false sense of security?
According to the Aidsfonds and Soa Aids Nederland, the fear of a false sense of security is unfounded. “Just like with the contraceptive pill, you can never say that it is 100 percent effective,” says the spokesperson.
PrEP only protects against HIV. PrEP does nothing against other STDs. It is therefore important to always continue to use a condom.
Get notifications for news about HIV and AIDS Stay informed with notifications
5. Is it possible to ever eradicate HIV and have zero new infections?
HIV will always exist, according to the Aidsfonds and Soa Aids Nederland. “Like any other STD, completely eliminating it is impossible.” But infections can be kept to a minimum. Immediate treatment after infection, regular testing and good prevention such as PrEP and condoms are important tools in the fight against HIV.
The United Nations has set a 95-95-95 global target for 2030. The organization wants that by then 95 percent of those infected know they have HIV, 95 percent of people with HIV have started treatment and 95 percent of treated HIV patients have an immeasurably low virus level.
Whether this is already the case in the Netherlands will become clear in November. In 2020, the Netherlands achieved percentages of 93, 94 and 95.
2023-09-25 16:35:02
#addition #condom #pill #prevent #HIV #questions #PrEP #NU.nl
