Personal Health Services

PrEP & PEP

PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis)

We offer PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) to our clients who choose to reduce their risk of acquiring HIV. Taking a once-daily regimen of either Truvada or Descovy as prescribed can effectively eliminate the risk of acquiring HIV. We can also provide Apretude, the injectable form of PrEP, to clients depending on their insurance plans. Visit the CDC to learn more about PrEP.

Commonly Asked Questions

• Do I need PrEP?

  Here are some things to consider if you are trying to decide if PrEP might be right for you. You might consider PrEP to reduce your risk of acquiring HIV if:

  • You are not living with HIV/ your HIV test is non-reactive, and:
  • You have condomless anal or vaginal sex; and/or
  • You have had a bacterial STI such as chlamydia or gonorrhea within the last 6 months, and/or
  • You have shared injection or drug preparation equipment in the last 6 months; and/or
  • You have a partner living with HIV who is not in treatment, and/or
  • You have a partner who does not know their HIV status.
• What do I have to do to start PrEP?

  To begin taking PrEP, you will need to schedule an appointment at our clinic with our PrEP provider. At your first appointment, you will complete all STI testing and a Basic Metabolic Panel. A complete STI panel at KCHD includes HIV, syphilis, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. Once your HIV test shows that you are not living with HIV, the PrEP provider will meet with you to discuss which form of PrEP may work best for you and to answer any questions you might have. Typically, the PrEP provider will be able to write you a prescription to start PrEP that same day.

  You will then need to come back every three months to repeat testing so your provider can assess how you are doing on the medication and renew your prescription. For injectable PrEP, follow-up appointments will be scheduled every two months.

• How will I pay for it?

  Kent County Health Department is committed to offering PrEP to our clients regardless of insurance status. Prescription co-pay assistance is also available.

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (n-PEP)

Kent County can offer Post-Exposure Prophylaxis for clients when appropriate. Post-Exposure Prophylaxis can reduce your risk of contracting HIV after an exposure. n-PEP is only available to KCHD clients who may have been exposed to HIV within the last 72 hours.

Please call our office at (616) 632-7176 to schedule an appointment if you believe you may have been exposed to HIV within the last 72 hours and are interested in n-PEP.

We do not offer n-PEP for non-sexual exposures (occupational or needle stick exposures).