PrEP - HIV Prevention Medication
SJBPH's Sexual Health Clinic in Durango and Pagosa Springs provides PrEP, STD testing, and STD treatment.
Call us at 970-335-2013 or email for an appointment.
PrEP
PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. The word "prophylaxis" means to prevent or control the spread of an infection or disease. PrEP, a pill taken daily, can prevent an HIV-negative person from acquiring HIV from an HIV-positive partner.
- If you don't already have HIV, taking PrEP every day can reduce your chances of contracting the virus through sex by more than 90%. Combining condoms and PrEP can help you stay even safer!
- PrEP can also reduce your chances of contracting HIV from sharing needles by as much as 70%.
Cost
The Public Health Intervention Program (PHIP) helps you pay for PrEP-related care and medications. PHIP is available to any person living in Colorado with an income less than 500% of the Federal Poverty Level.
2022 rates:
- 1 person at about $6,050 per month gross income
- 2 people at $8,200 per month
- 3 people at $10,300 per month
- Do you want to start taking PrEP?
-
HIV testing should be conducted before starting PrEP. SJBPH's Sexual Health Clinic offers low-cost STI/STD testing including for HIV.
We're here to to help, not judge, and we can discuss your situation with you to determine if PrEP is right for you.
- Who can benefit from PrEP?
-
PrEP is a treatment for people who don't have HIV but are at a higher risk of contracting it. You should consult SJBPH, or your medical provider, about PrEP if you:
- Don't regularly use condoms.
- Have an HIV-positive sexual partner.
- Have a sexual partner who is at high risk of contracting HIV (for example, if they engage in anal or vaginal sex with other people without using condoms, or if they use injectable drugs).
- If you don't use condoms regularly and have anal or vaginal sex with multiple partners.
- If you contracted another STD (like chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis).
- Perform sex work involving vaginal or anal sex.
- Have you used drugs, shared needles, or been in drug treatment in the last six months?
- If you're at high risk for HIV and are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding, PrEP could help you and your baby avoid contracting the virus.
- How much does PrEP cost?
-
PrEP is covered by most health insurance plans, including Medicaid. You can also get help paying for PrEP if you don't have health insurance or if your insurance doesn't cover PrEP.
SJBPH can help you enroll in PHIP which will cover your PrEP-related appointments, lab tests, and make you eligible for free medications. Call us at 970-335-2013 for help enrolling in PHIP.