Treatment as prevention (TasP)
In addition to the use of condoms with lubricant, antiretroviral therapy (ART) is available to prevent HIV from being transmitted from one person to another.
Research shows that the use of treatment as prevention (TasP) is very effective in preventing HIV transmission, i.e. people living with HIV who are on ART and have an undetectable viral load, are very unlikely to transmit HIV to their sexual partners.
PrEP, PEP and DoxyPEP
In addition to TasP, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) are available. PrEP is taken on a daily basis to prevent HIV infection in individuals who are at ongoing risk of getting HIV. PEP is a 28-day course of medication taken after a possible exposure to HIV.
Further information about both PrEP and PEP is provided in the table below.
Table 1: PrEP and PEP for HIV
|
HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) |
HIV Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) |
Doxy-PEP |
| What it is? |
Medication to prevent HIV infection in people who are HIV-negative and at ongoing risk of getting HIV. |
A 28-day course of medication to prevent HIV infection in people who are HIV-negative and have experienced a single event where they have a known, or possible, exposure to HIV |
Taking a single dose of medication up to 72 hours after a sexual act to reduce the risk of syphilis and chlamydia. |
| Who is eligible? |
People who are HIV-negative and likely to be experiencing multiple events where there is a risk of HIV exposure, e.g. having unprotected sex and/or sharing injecting equipment with someone who has HIV or is at a high risk of having HIV; or being in a relationship with a HIV-positive person who has a detectable viral load. |
People who are HIV-negative and who have experienced a single event, e.g. unprotected sex (including condom breakage) and/or shared injecting equipment, with someone who has HIV or is at high risk of having HIV. |
Clinical trials show that Doxy-PEP is most likely to benefit gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and transgender women who have recently had multiple STIs. |
| When to take it? |
Daily or on-demand (2-24 hrs before sex, 24 hrs after 1st dose and 24 hrs after 2nd dose) depending on frequency and predictability of HIV risk exposures. |
As soon as possible and within 72 hours of a known, or possible, exposure to HIV. |
As soon as possible and within 72 hours of exposure. |
| How to access it? |
Make an appointment with your GP or a sexual health clinic to discuss if/which type of PrEP is right for you (see contacts listed in this card). |
Call the 24/7 PEP Line (1300 767 161) for immediate advice and referral. |
Make an appointment with your GP or a sexual health clinic to discuss if Doxy-PEP is right for you (see contacts listed in this card). |
| For more information |
https://prepguidelines.com.au/patient-resources/ |
www.getpep.info |
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/sexualhealth/Pages/doxy-pep-tool.aspx |
Other ways to reduce the risk of HIV, sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and blood-borne viruses (BBVs)
- Practice safer sex (always use condoms and lubricant).
- If you inject drugs, always use new needles and do not share injecting equipment.
- Have regular check-ups for STIs – having an STI can increase the likelihood of HIV transmission and vice versa.
- Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B, HPV and mpox.
For more information on PrEP, PEP, HIV, STIs and BBVs during business hours:
- WAAC9482 0000
- M Clinic9227 0734
- info@mclinic.org.au
- Sexual Health Quarters (SHQ) (metro) 9227 61768
sexhelp@shq.org.au(country) 1800 198 205
- Royal Perth Hospital Sexual Health Clinic 9224 2178
- Fremantle Hospital South Terrace Clinic 9431 2149
- HepatitisWA (metro)9328 8538
(country) 1800 198 205
For more information on safer drug use during business hours:
- Peer-based Harm Reduction 9325 8387
Last reviewed: 28-02-2025
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Public Health