HIV Prevention & Post-Exposure Care

Protecting Your Health with Modern HIV Prevention

Today, HIV prevention is more effective than ever. Whether you want to proactively reduce your risk or need urgent treatment after a possible exposure, there are evidence-based options that can help.

At The PrEP NP, we provide personalized prevention care designed around your lifestyle, risk profile, and medical needs.

What Is PrEP?

PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a preventive HIV medication taken before potential exposure to significantly reduce the risk of acquiring HIV.

When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective and remains one of the most powerful tools available for HIV prevention.

PrEP works by maintaining protective medication levels in your body, helping block HIV from establishing infection if exposure occurs.

Is PrEP For You?
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Current FDA-Approved PrEP Options

Oral PrEP: Truvada®

Daily oral tablet

Truvada contains:

  • Emtricitabine (FTC)

  • Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)

Best suited for:

  • Individuals at risk through receptive vaginal sex

  • Men who have sex with men

  • People who inject drugs

  • Patients seeking a proven daily prevention option

Oral PrEP: Descovy®

Daily oral tablet

Descovy contains:

  • Emtricitabine (FTC)

  • Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)

Descovy may offer:

  • Lower kidney toxicity risk compared with TDF-based regimens

  • Lower impact on bone mineral density in appropriate patients

Important note:
Descovy is currently not approved for individuals at risk through receptive vaginal sex.

Injectable PrEP: Apretude®

Long-acting injectable option

Apretude is:

  • The first FDA-approved injectable PrEP medication

  • Administered by a healthcare provider

  • Given monthly for the first 2 doses, then every 2 months thereafter

Best suited for:

  • Patients who prefer not to take daily medication

  • Individuals seeking a discreet long-acting prevention strategy

  • Patients with adherence challenges with oral PrEP

Injectable PrEP YEZTUGO® (Lenacapavir) – Twice-Yearly

Long-Acting HIV Prevention, Simplified

For individuals seeking a highly effective HIV prevention option without the burden of daily pills or frequent injections, YEZTUGO® (lenacapavir) offers a new approach.

YEZTUGO is the first FDA-approved HIV PrEP option designed for dosing just twice per year, making it one of the longest-acting prevention strategies currently available.

This may be an excellent option for individuals who:

  • Prefer a low-maintenance prevention strategy

  • Have difficulty remembering daily medication

  • Want a discreet, long-acting alternative to oral PrEP

  • Prefer fewer clinic visits compared with other injectable options

What Is PEP?

PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) is emergency HIV prevention used after a possible exposure.

PEP must be started within 72 hours of potential exposure. The sooner, the better.

Treatment typically lasts 28 days and involves a short course of prescription antiretroviral therapy.

PEP may be appropriate after:

  • Condom failure

  • Unprotected sexual exposure

  • Sexual assault

  • Needle-sharing exposure

  • Occupational needle stick injury

  • Known or suspected HIV exposure

PEP is intended for emergency situations—not ongoing prevention.

If repeated exposures are a concern, PrEP may be the more appropriate long-term strategy.

PrEP vs PEP: What’s the Difference?

PrEP = Prevention before exposure
PrEP is taken proactively to reduce future HIV risk.

PEP = Emergency treatment after exposure
PEP is used after a possible exposure to help prevent infection before HIV can establish itself.

Both are highly effective when used appropriately and under medical supervision.

Need PEP Urgently?

If you believe you may have been exposed to HIV, time matters.

PEP must be started within 72 hours of exposure to be effective.

If you are outside normal business hours or experiencing an urgent exposure, seek immediate medical care at the nearest emergency department or urgent care facility.

Meet @ThePrEPNP

  • A male doctor with glasses and a beard, wearing a white coat and stethoscope, standing with arms crossed in a medical facility.

    Kensy Chavez, DNP, APRN, FNP-C

    Kensy Chavez, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and HIV Prevention Specialist with over a decade of clinical experience in primary care, preventive medicine, and HIV prevention. Currently serving South Florida Communities working as a Wellness Nurse Practitioner at Latinos Salud North Miami office.

    As @ThePrEPNP, Kensy is committed to delivering evidence-based, judgment-free sexual health care with a focus on personalized HIV prevention, PrEP, PEP, and long-acting treatment options.