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PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis)
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a medication that can be taken to reduce an individual's chances of getting HIV through sex or injection drug use. PrEP is for people who do not have HIV but have the chance of getting it. When someone who has been taking PrEP is exposed to HIV through sex or injection drug use, the medicines can keep the virus from establishing a permanent infection. Taking PrEP as prescribed by a health care provider can reduce your chances of getting HIV by up to 99% for sexual encounters and 74% for injection drug use.
To hear stories from real people who are taking PrEP to prevent HIV, visit: Let's Talk About PrEP - Greater Than AIDS.
Medication also can be taken following a possible exposure to HIV to help prevent transmission of the virus. In such cases, the medications are referred to as PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis). Both PrEP and PEP can be prescribed by a doctor, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner.
PrEP Providers are medical professionals that can prescribe PrEP, order necessary laboratory testing, and conduct medication adherence counseling.
PrEP Navigation is a service that is designed to assist individuals in starting and staying on PrEP. PrEP Navigators work to tailor education and support to the client in order to meet their individual needs. Navigation services include identifying and linking people to a PrEP Provider for care, assisting with health insurance and financial assistance programs, and identifying/reducing barriers to care.
To locate a PrEP Provider or Navigator close to you, view the interactive map or see the directories for a full list of PrEP Providers and Navigators in Michigan.
- PrEP Provider and Navigator Interactive Map
- Michigan PrEP Provider Directory
- Wayne County PrEP Provider Directory
- Michigan PrEP Navigator Directory
If there is no provider in your area, please contact MDHHS Public Health Detailer:
Mark Schaecher, PAC
Public Health Detailer, MDHHS
SchaecherM@michigan.gov
Learn More About PrEP
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Who Should Consider PrEP?
PrEP might be right for you if you relate to any of the following:
- Infrequent or inconsistent condom use during sex with partners.
- Having condomless sex with someone whose HIV status is unknown.
- You have had a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the past six months.
- Sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs.
- Having sex with someone with HIV who is not in care or has not been undetectable for six months.
- Exchanging sex for money, drugs, housing, or other things.
For more information on if PrEP is right for you, visit: Deciding to Take PrEP - CDC
- Infrequent or inconsistent condom use during sex with partners.
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How PrEP Works
PrEP works by preventing HIV from replicating itself in the body if an individual is exposed to the virus. PrEP should be taken as prescribed by a healthcare provider. PrEP does not treat or cure HIV and should not be used by people currently with HIV. PrEP does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Using condoms while on PrEP is highly recommended.
Things to Note:
- PrEP can be taken for any amount of time.
- It is important that you only start or stop taking PrEP with the help of a healthcare provider.
- Do not share PrEP with someone who has not been prescribed PrEP.
For more information on how PrEP works, visit: PrEP - CDC
- PrEP can be taken for any amount of time.
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PrEP and Women
PrEP is safe and effective for cisgender and transgender women. Truvada and its generic have been approved for adults and adolescents weighing at least 77 pounds. Descovy has not been approved for individuals assigned female at birth.
PrEP can be taken safely with birth control - there are no drug interactions.
PrEP can also be safely taken during pregnancy.
PrEP and hormone therapy can be taken at the same time.
For more information on PrEP and Women, visit:
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What is PEP?
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is a preventive treatment that can reduce the chance that a person who is exposed to HIV will become HIV-positive.
PEP treatment involves two to three different antiretroviral medicines that work together to prevent HIV from making copies of itself and spreading through the body. To be effective, the medicines must be started as soon as possible - but not more than 72 hours (3 days) after - possible exposure to the virus. They also must be taken on schedule for 28 days.
PEP medicines can reduce the risk of becoming HIV-positive. But, they are not always effective. Taking PEP does not guarantee that a HIV infection will be prevented.
For more information about PEP, visit: PEP - CDC
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About HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) damages the body's immune system. If left untreated, HIV reduces the body's ability to fight off illnesses.
Ways HIV Can be Transmitted:
- By having vaginal, anal, or oral sex without a condom.
- By sharing needles or equipment (works) when injecting drugs.
- From birthing person to child during pregnancy, delivery, and breast feeding.
You cannot get HIV by donating blood or through casual contact such as hugging or shaking hands.
For more information about HIV, visit: HIV Basics - CDC
Resources
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PrEP Payment Assistance
- Michigan PrEP Payment and Insurance Resource Guide
- How do I Pay for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)? - CDC
- Gilead Advancing Access Program
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Ready, Set, PrEP
The Ready, Set, PrEP program provides free PrEP HIV-prevention medications to thousands of people living in the United States, including tribal lands and territories, who qualify. -
PrEP Coverage Check
PrEP Coverage Check is a tool that assists with verifying what PrEP medications are covered through your health plan. - Patient Advocate Foundation: 866-512-3861
- PrEP Cost Sharing Complaint Template
Since January 1, 2021, all qualified commercial health plans are required to cover PrEP services without cost sharing, including medication, clinic visits, and lab services. Providers and patients can use the PrEP Cost Sharing Complaint Template to file a complaint about an uncompliant health plan charging for PrEP services.
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Let's Talk About PrEP - Stories from Real PeoplePowered by PrEP: Keith
To hear stories from real people who are taking PrEP to prevent HIV, visit: Let's Talk About PrEP - Greater Than AIDS.
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Questions About PrEP?
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Michigan HIV/STI Hotline
Michigan residents with questions related to HIV and STIs are encouraged to call the Michigan HIV/STI Hotline at 1-800-872-2437 or chat online (Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.).
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Michigan 2-1-1
Michigan 2-1-1 is a free service available 24/7/365 to help connect Michigan residents with the information and resources they need. For assistance with locating resources available in Michigan to help prevent, diagnose, and treat HIV and STIs, visit: Michigan 2-1-1 HIV/STI Services.
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Michigan HIV/STI Hotline
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Michigan PrEP Series Trainings
- Youth and PrEP
This session of the Michigan PrEP series will focus on PrEP access and special considerations for adolescents and young adults. Presentations will cover a variety of topics related to the healthcare and HIV prevention needs of youth. Specifically, this training will explore engagement with healthcare services, barriers that can impact this engagement, perceptions of need for HIV prevention activities, and considerations for PrEP navigation/prescribing. The goal is that participation in this session will help attendees understand the unique needs of their clients and provide strategies to help link individuals to services that best fit their unique needs. Engaging adolescents and young adult in HIV prevention services is critical as we continue to work toward ending the HIV epidemic. This training was held on 4/10/2023. - Queer AFAB Health Round Table
What does AFAB mean? Assigned female at birth. This training is focused around individuals who identify as queer who were assigned female at birth. We will be having conversations on how important it is to ask clients/patients how they identify and why it is important to use terms they would like and not what you want to use. This conversation will cover healthcare needs, HIV/STI Prevention needs, and how to best support the queer AFAB community. This training was held on 3/24/2023. - Trans Health and PrEP
This training is focused on Trans Healthcare and PrEP. Specifically, this training will cover the barriers (healthcare, political/legal, economic, social) and inequities that Trans peoples experience and how PrEP is viewed within the Trans community. The training will also cover the science of PrEP and gender affirming care. Finally, the presentation will highlight how the improved access to PrEP plays a critical role in Ending the HIV Epidemic in Michigan. This training was held on 7/15/2022. - Same Gender Loving MSM of Color and PrEP
This presentation focuses on Same Gender Loving MSM of Color and PrEP specifically the medical barriers, political/law, income, healthcare, equity and equality, young Same Gender Loving MSM of Color experiences, and how PrEP is viewed. The presentation will also cover the science of PrEP, and additional trainings needs and additional resources. Finally, the presentation will highlight how increased use of PrEP by Same Gender Loving MSM plays a critical role in Ending the HIV Epidemic in Michigan. This training was held on 9/28/2022. - Drug User Health and PrEP
In collaboration with Detroit Recovery Project, MDHHS Viral Hepatitis, MDHHS HIV Prevention, and MDHHS's Ending HIV Epidemic this presentation will focus on Drug User Health and PrEP. Specifically, this training will cover the medical barriers, political/law, healthcare, equity and equality, and how PrEP is viewed within the PWID community. The presentation will also cover the science of PrEP effectiveness within PWID. Finally, the presentation will highlight how increased use of PrEP by PWID plays a critical role in Ending the HIV Epidemic in Michigan. This training was held on 12/13/2022.
- Youth and PrEP
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Additional Resources
For additional information about PrEP and HIV, visit:
Provider Resources
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Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Resources
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MDHHS PrEP Provider Toolkit
The PrEP Provider Toolkit is currently being revised based on recent updates to CDC Guidelines in December 2021. If you have any questions regarding MDHHS guidance changes related to the CDC updates, please contact Mark Schaecher, Public Health Detailer, HIV Prevention and Intervention Unit at SchaecherM@michigan.gov. -
MDHHS Academic Detailing Sessions
A Public Health Detailer is available to provide individualized educational outreach for healthcare providers regarding a variety of HIV prevention topics (sexual histories, HIV testing, PrEP, PEP, stigma reduction, etc.). If you would like to schedule a detailing session please contact Mark Schaecher, Public Health Detailer, HIV Prevention and Intervention Unit at SchaecherM@michigan.gov.
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MDHHS PrEP Brochure
- MDHHS PrEP Brochure (2022)
- MDHHS PrEP Brochure (Arabic) (2022)
- MDHHS PrEP Brochure (Spanish) (2022)
To request PrEP brochures to educate, inform, and increase awareness, please use SHOARS to submit a supply order request. For information about SHOARS including how to register and submit a request, visit: Michigan.gov/SHOARS.
Please Note: Brochures and other communication materials are subject to availability and approved based on size of organization/county. Due to this, amounts may be decreased during processing.
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MDHHS PrEP Provider Toolkit
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CDC Guidelines for Prescribing PrEP
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Consultation
- MDHHS/Henry Ford HIV Consultation Program (provides healthcare providers with answers about HIV-related issues)
- Non-urgent questions: Visit the HIV Consultation Program page, choose "Request a Consult," and submit your question(s) online. You will receive an answer within 48 hours.
- Urgent questions: Call the 24-hour consultation line at 313-575-0332.
- MDHHS/Henry Ford HIV Consultation Program (provides healthcare providers with answers about HIV-related issues)
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Additional Resources