Ladies, PrEP is also for you!

HIV doesn’t care about your gender or sex, and neither does PrEP. This World AIDS Day, remember that PrEP is for anyone at risk of getting HIV, including you, ladies! (Cick on image to view video)

Papi, There’s No Shame in Using PrEP. 

PrEP prevents the spread of HIV, and there should be no shame in keeping yourself and your loved ones safe! Celebrate World AIDS Day by ending the stigma and stopping the spread of HIV. (Click on image to view video)

Let’s Make PrEP a Thing!

Help stop the HIV epidemic by spreading awareness about PrEP. This World AIDS Day, let’s make PreP and how it prevents getting HIV a thing that everyone knows about! (Click on image to view video)

What is PrEP?

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a pill that is highly effective in preventing HIV transmission when taken daily–and a powerful tool in helping to end the HIV epidemic. It helps people who are HIV-negative to stay negative. PrEP is safe, and no serious side effects have been reported. PrEP can help you take control of your sexual health.

Who should take PrEP?

If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, PrEP may be right for you:

• Do you use condoms sometimes or not at all?
• Is your sexual partner(s) HIV-positive or an unknown status?
• Have you been on PEP in the past year?
• Have you been treated recently for a sexually transmitted infection (STI)?
• Are you trying to get pregnant with an HIV-positive partner?
• Do you and/or your sex partner(s) use or inject drugs?
• Do you and/or your sex partner(s) exchange sex for money, housing, drugs or other needs?
• Has your partner threatened or forced you to have sex against your will?

Everyone’s situation is different, and everyone should consider whether PrEP is right for them.

How Can I Get PrEP?

It’s important for people considering PrEP to consult with doctors and other health care providers who specialize in sexual health services. They will assess each patient’s current medical condition and offer counseling about how to take PrEP properly so it is effective. You will also need to regularly be tested for HIV and other STIs.

How Can You Get Help to Pay for PrEP?

Most private and state Medicaid plans cover PrEP. 

• If you are on Medicaid, check with your benefits counselor.
• If you have health insurance, you may receive co-pay assistance from drug manufacturers or patient advocacy foundations.
• If you are without medical insurance, consider enrolling in an insurance marketplace, manufacturer patient assistance program, or your state’s Medicaid plan, if you are eligible for it.

Amida Care is working with New York State on providing wider access to enhanced sexual health services in order to serve more people who are potentially at elevated risk for acquiring HIV. Learn more about paying for PrEP at www.PrEPcost.org.

Learn More About PrEP

Brochures:

• Are PrEP/PEP Right 4 U? English/ Spanish

Videos:

• PrEP – an HIV prevention option, a video created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• What is PrEP?, a video created by the PrEP REP project

Websites:

• Amida Care’s Know the ABC’s of PrEP
• NYS Department of Health: www.prepforsex.org 
• https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/prep.html
• https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/risk/prep/index.html
• https://www.who.int/hiv/topics/prep/en/

What is PEP?

PEP stands for post-exposure prophylaxis. It means taking antiretroviral medicines (ART) after being potentially exposed to HIV to prevent becoming infected. 

PEP can help protect you after exposure to HIV.

Starting PEP within 72 hours after possible HIV exposure from sex or sharing needles can protect you from HIV. PEP pills are taken for 28 days after a known or suspected exposure. If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, PEP may be right for you:

• Did you have sex without using a condom or did a condom break when you were having
  sex with someone who is HIV-positive or whose HIV status you don’t know?
• Were you forced into sex against your will?
• Did you share injection drug equipment, like a syringe or needle?

PEP should be used only in emergency situations.

If you think you were exposed to HIV, call the NYC PEP hotline at (844) 3-PEPNYC (844-373-7692) or go immediately to a clinic or emergency room and ask for PEP.

Learn More About PEP

• https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/pep.html

REMEMBER: Taking PrEP and PEP to prevent HIV does not protect you from other STIs.

Resources

In New York City 

For LGBTQ Youth
ALI FORNEY CENTER: PrEP/PEP counseling, housing, and other social services for homeless and runaway  LGBTQ youth (ages 13-29). Go to www.aliforneycenter.org or call  1-212-206-0574.

For Women and Families
IRIS HOUSE: HIV prevention (including PrEP counseling), support, and other services for women, families, and the underserved affected by HIV/AIDS, visit www.irishouse.org, or call 1-212-423-9049. Offices in Harlem and Plainfiel NJ.

For LGBTQ Elders (Over 50)
SAGE (Services & Advocacy for LGBTQ Elders): For PrEP seminars and their SAGEPositive Program, go to www.sageusa.org, email info@sageusa.org  or call 1-212-741-2247. Also offered:  HIV and STI testing.

Amida Care
For more resources  and information on PrEP/PEP, if you  belong to (or would like to join)  Amida Care, call Member Services  at 1-800-556-0689 (TTY 711) and go to our website at https://www.amidacareny.org/our-plans/prep-pep/