There are serious public health problems that have affected our country for decades without a real solution being achieved. Within the list is HIV and according to the National Center for the Prevention and Control of HIV and AIDS (CENSIDA), from 1983 to November 2019 there is a registry of 301,182 people infected. Although the incidence has decreased, there is still a long way to go. While one of the most prominent innovations on this topic is HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), but do you know what it is?
To reduce the incidence of new infections and increase the timely detection of this and other sexually transmitted diseases, since 2020 in the second-level hospitals of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) PrEP is prescribed as an effective method of prevention.
This prevention resource, which has been shown to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV from 44 to 67 percent, works with the daily taking of two drugs combined in a single tablet, which blocks the reproduction of the virus in the blood. although it is very important to take into account that it is necessary to accompany this method with regular condom use to prevent other sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis, gonorrhea or chlamydia.
What kind of people is it recommended for?
PrEP is indicated for people at high risk of acquiring the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and since its prescription to date, around 400 applications have been received to join this prevention initiative, of which 258 people are already linked to this mechanism .
We stop the #HIV, the #PrEP to prevent new infections is now available in the #IMSS!
The correct intake is close to 100% effective, if you have risky sexual practices⚠️, visit https://t.co/T7tE4r7QnK or request information on 📩 [email protected] #PrEPIMSS pic.twitter.com/AfuqduNuVY
– IMSS (@Tu_IMSS) October 12, 2021
Clinical studies have shown that PrEP is highly safe to prevent this virus and the possibility of adverse effects is very low; however, the only contraindication for use is that the person has impaired kidney function or an allergy to the components of the treatment. Therefore, prior to this treatment, it is necessary to carry out a comprehensive evaluation to rule out HIV, hepatitis B or C, in case of detecting these conditions, timely treatment will be provided.
To access HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, it is necessary to register by mail at [email protected], where in a period of no more than 10 days the user is contacted by the IMSS team under the framework of confidentiality and the appointment is managed directly in the medical unit where internists and infectious disease specialists will evaluate the person and determine if it is candidate or not for this prophylaxis.
Once the patient begins this therapy, it is accompanied by counseling as a primary part of the treatment, as well as their adherence to it, and in this sense, close monitoring is maintained in order to verify the efficacy of PrEP. To do this, HIV tests are performed every four to six months and studies are carried out annually to detect hepatitis B and C, as well as kidney function tests.