HIV
Approximately 25,000 Australians are living with HIV. Over the past 20 years massive progress has been made in the treatment of HIV such that someone being diagnosed today has every expectation of living a full and normal life often taking a single, well tolerated, tablet.
The PARTNER study where there were no HIV transmissions after 58,000 condom-less sexual contacts between HIV+ve patients (with an undetectable viral load) and their HIV-ve partners has led to the concepts of “Treatment as Prevention” and “U=U” (Undetectable = Untransmittable) – if you have properly treated HIV not only will you remain well but you will not pass it on to your sexual partners.
PrEP (Preexposure Prophylaxis) is a daily tablet, now available on the PBS, that, when taken properly, markedly reduces your chances of picking up HIV.
GPs at Bellbird Medical Centre are able to prescribe PrEP. For more information:
https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/public-health/preventive-health/sexual-health/prep