No HIV for Me: Protect Yourself from HIV with PrEP and PEP

Narrator: Think you’re not at risk for HIV? Think again! Anyone who’s having sex without a condom is at risk of getting HIV. And, when it comes to protecting yourself, there are really good options out there.

The first one is called PrEP, which stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. It comes as a pill or a shot — and it lowers your risk of getting HIV from sex or injection drug use by a lot!

The second is an emergency medication called post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP. If you take it within 3 days of a possible HIV exposure, it can keep you from getting the virus.

The sooner you take PEP, the better it works. So don’t wait!

Both PrEP and PEP need a prescription. So talk to your healthcare provider about how you can stay HIV-free.

This resource was created with support from Gilead.

Jeffrey Kwong, DNP, MPH, AGPCNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN

Kim Ledgerwood

HealthyWomen's Editorial Director

As HealthyWomen’s editorial director, Kim oversees the production of all content and ensures that it is aligned with our mission, meets our high editorial standards and captures our brand voice.

Kim is an award-winning editor and copywriter with more than 30 years of experience. She started her career as a copywriter and broadcast producer at the Southeast’s largest full-service advertising agency, The Tombras Group. Since then, she has edited and written for a wide variety of clients, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to indie authors across multiple industries and topics.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, as well as a master’s degree in communications/advertising from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Kim lives in Maryland with her husband, three children and a menagerie of pets.

Read Full Bio