HIV Prevention
HIV Prevention
All are welcome.
- PrEP
- Daily pill or 2× yearly shot
- PEP
- Start within 72 hrs of Exposure
- Cost
- Free through 340B
HIV prevention
Protecting your health starts with knowing your options
Our preventive HIV services provide evidence-based tools, like regular testing, PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), and PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) to dramatically reduce the risk of HIV.
Whether you’re looking to stay HIV-negative, or simply take charge of your sexual health, our compassionate team offers confidential care, personalized guidance, and ongoing support so you can make informed decisions with confidence.
Know the facts
HIV Basics
Prevention options
Regimen options for prevention
PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis)
What it is
PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a 28-day course of HIV medication designed to stop HIV from establishing an infection in your body after a possible exposure.
Timing matters
PEP must be started within 72 hours (3 days) of exposure, ideally starting as soon as possible, because HIV can begin to replicate and integrate into your cells within that time frame.
Once HIV enters the body, it targets immune cells (specifically CD4 cells), and within a few days, it begins to copy itself and spread. If left untreated, the virus can establish a permanent infection. That’s why timing is critical. PEP works by blocking the virus before it fully takes hold and starts to mutate.
What is a possible exposure
- Condom breaking
- Swabbing bodily fluids like blood, vaginal or anal secretions, cum and precum
- Sharing needles
- Accidental sticks from used needles
- Certain workplace incidents
PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis)
What it is
PrEP is a once-daily pill OR a twice-yearly long-acting injection that helps prevent HIV before exposure. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is more than 99% effective.
PrEP is recommended for individuals who
- Do not always use condoms
- Have sex partners with unknown HIV status
- Have taken PEP multiple times
- Have a recent STI diagnosis
- Have a partner living with HIV
- Inject drugs
- Share needles
Anyone can be a candidate for PrEP.
Why it matters
PrEP is one of the most powerful tools we have to end new HIV infections
When taken consistently, it creates a protective barrier in the body that stops the virus from establishing infection if you’re exposed.
Proven success rates
- Sexual exposure — PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV by about 99% when taken daily as prescribed.
- Injection drug use — PrEP lowers the risk by at least 74%, and even more when combined with harm-reduction strategies such as using sterile equipment.
- Long-acting injectable PrEP — Clinical studies show similar or even slightly higher effectiveness than daily pills, thanks to consistent protection between doses.
Community impact
Widespread use of PrEP not only protects individuals but also helps lower HIV rates across entire communities, supporting the goal of ending the HIV epidemic.
Medications
PrEP medications
Truvada®
(emtricitabine + tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, F/TDF)Daily oral tablet
- Approved in July 2012 for HIV PrEP
- Approved in Aug 2004 for combination use to treat HIV
- $0 copay assistance available.
- Generic available.
- Offers ~99% protection when taken daily.
- Effective for all individuals at risk through sex or injection drug use.
Descovy®
(emtricitabine + tenofovir alafenamide, F/TAF)Daily oral tablet
- Approved in Oct 2019 for HIV PrEP
- Approved in April 2016 for combination use to treat HIV
- Comparable efficacy to Truvada.
- May have fewer side effects on kidneys and bone.
- Not approved for people who are at risk through receptive vaginal sex.
Apretude®
(cabotegravir injectable)Long-acting injection every 2 months
- Approved in Dec 2021 for HIV PrEP
- Approved in Jan 2021 for combination use to treat HIV (Cabotegravir)
- Superior HIV protection over Truvada.
- Administered every 2 months after initiation.
- Good option if taking daily pills is a challenge.
Yeztugo®
(lenacapavir injectable)Long-acting injection twice yearly
- Approved in June 2025 for HIV PrEP
- Approved in Dec 2022 for combination use to treat HIV (Sunlenca)
- Offers ~99.9% protection.
- Administered every 6 months.
- Offers a new alternative for people who have difficulty with frequent dosing.
Getting started
Accessing PrEP, Completely Free
Thanks to our participation in the 340b Drug Pricing Program, we're able to offer all clinical services for PrEP completely free of charge to our qualifying patients. This included no out-of-pocket cost: Regular labs, HIV testing, and provider visits.
The 340B program allows us to stretch federal resources to serve underserved communities. That means no insurance? No problem. We’ll help you access and stay on PrEP without financial barriers.
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01
Schedule a confidential consultation
We discuss your risk factors and preferences.
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02
Baseline labs and HIV testing
We’ll conduct prescribed baseline labs and HIV testing.
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03
Choose your PrEP option
Together, we’ll recommend the best PrEP option — oral daily, bimonthly shot, or twice-yearly injection (Yeztugo).
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04
Follow up as Needed
Follow up visits may vary depending on the treatment type to ensure ongoing safety, monitoring, and support.
Scheduling
Book an appointment with PHC Health & Wellness
We are now accepting new patients across our clinics.
St. Petersburg
Our largest clinic and the full care team, offering primary care, HIV care and prevention, hormone therapy and medically supervised weight management.
Dade City
Our Pasco County clinic, where Lorayne Shafer, APRN leads primary care, HIV care and prevention for patients across the county.
Wilton Manors
Our South Florida clinic on Wilton Drive, where Dr. Blaisdell and the Broward team provide primary care, HIV care and prevention.