HIV Prevention
How can I protect myself and my partner(s)?
There is no vaccine for HIV, but there are things you can do to avoid getting or passing HIV.
1
Get routine STI testing.
Get tested before you have sex with a new partner, whenever you or your partner(s) have an STI symptom or yearly if you haven’t had an STI test in the last 12 months.
2
Use condoms or other barrier devices.
Use condoms every time you have vaginal or anal sex, and a condom or other barrier device every time you have oral sex.
3
Talk with your partner(s).
Talk with you partner(s) about your STI status, the types of sex you want to have, and how you can protect one another.
4
Consider Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
Talk with your doctor about PrEP if you are at high risk of being exposed to HIV.
HIV PrEP
PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is an HIV prevention option for people at risk of exposure to HIV through sexual activity or needle sharing. PrEP isn't a vaccine and doesn’t provide immunity to HIV. When the PrEP medication is in your system, it can stop HIV from infecting and spreading through your body. PrEP doesn’t protect you from other STIs, so it’s still important to use a condom every time you have sex to protect yourself and your partner(s).
People taking PrEP need to remember to take the medication as prescribed and follow up with their health care provider every 3 months. Some people taking PrEP experience side effects including nausea, bone and kidney function changes. Depending on how you are being exposed to the virus, PrEP can take up to a few weeks to become effective in preventing HIV transmission.
Getting Started on PrEP
PrEP is available through some family doctors, nurse practitioners & pharmacists. Call ahead to find out if this service is available from your regular care provider.
If PrEP isn’t available from your health care provider, you can get a prescription at many sexual health clinics across Saskatchewan.
HIV PEP
PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) is an HIV prevention option for people who may have been recently exposed to the HIV virus through sexual activity or needle sharing. PEP is a medication that is taken as soon as possible after a potential exposure to the HIV Virus to help prevent the virus transmission to the HIV negative person. PEP doesn’t protect you from other STIs, so it’s still important to use a condom every time you have sex to protect yourself and your partner(s).
PEP is very effective but will not prevent 100% of HIV transmissions from occurring. It must be started within 72 hours of exposure to HIV. For PEP to be effective, a person must have take the full course of PEP medication and should have no further exposures to HIV while taking PEP.
Getting Started on PEP
PEP is available through family doctors, nurse practitioners, emergency departments and urgent care centers. It may take up to 2 days for a community pharmacy to get these medications. Take your prescription to the pharmacy as soon as possible. If possible, find a pharmacy that has these medications in stock.