Overview of HIV PrEP
Australasian Society for HIV Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM), 2021
Antiretroviral drugs reduce the risk of HIV infection when used as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)Choopanya, 2013McCormack, 2016Murnane, 2013Riddell, 2018. PrEP is recommended for all people at risk of HIV infection, and should be considered for any person requesting PrEP or who would benefit from PrEP (eg because of anxiety).
Assess a person’s suitability for HIV PrEP according to the following patient groups – consider all that apply1:
- men who have sex with men
- transgender and gender diverse people
- heterosexual people
- people who inject drugs
- women who have sex with women.
Suitability for PrEP takes into account the person’s foreseeable risk of HIV infection over the next 3 months based on risk in the previous 3 months, but also considers their foreseeable risk independent of previous risk. Risk assessment includes a complete sexual history, a complete alcohol and other drug use history, and considers the personal circumstances of the individual. Clinicians should be proactive in assessing patients for risk of HIV infection and, if suitable, offering PrEP. A person may also be suitable for PrEP if anxiety about acquiring HIV infection is affecting their quality of life.
For more information, see Considerations before starting HIV PrEP, including required baseline testing, and Antiretroviral regimens for HIV PrEP.
For detailed information on prescribing HIV PrEP, see the 2021 Australasian Society of HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM) PrEP Guidelines, Prevent HIV by Prescribing PrEP.