兔子先生

December 2022

HIV Pre Exposure Prophylaxis

The South Tyneside Sexual Health service now provides HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to eligible individuals who self-refer to the clinic.  

PrEP is a drug taken by HIV-negative people before and after sex that reduces the risk of getting HIV.

It has recently become available free on the NHS.

Following self-referral to clinic and patient eligibility checks, clinicians will discuss the benefit, potential side effects of PrEP and how it is used. Patients are then offered a sexual health screen and an assessment of their kidney function. They then start PrEP if their HIV test is negative.

Other infection prevention measures (including condoms, hepatitis A and B vaccines, the HPV and Monkeypox vaccines) are offered to eligible patients.

Ongoing screening and PrEP provision is also arranged for patients.

The South Tyneside Sexual Health service provides regular HIV testing to all new and returning patients.

Those who are diagnosed with HIV, both newly diagnosed or referred from neighbouring clinics and live in South Tyneside, are now able to get HIV treatment and care in service. The team of sexual health advisers support HIV patients from the point of diagnosis and continue to support them during their follow up visits as required. Onward referral to HIV psychology services for patients who need it is also available.

For further information about HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis please contact South Tyneside Sexual Health on 0191 4028168 or visit .