Overview
In this section you will get an overview of the condition and its relevance to your health.
HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis — HIV PrEP for short — is a modern and highly effective way to protect against HIV infection. It is intended for people at increased risk of HIV and complements other protective measures such as condom use.
When taken correctly, HIV PrEP reduces the risk of infection by over 99 percent. It therefore represents an important component of HIV prevention and contributes significantly to curbing new infections.
The good news: HIV PrEP is well tolerated, safe, and established in Germany. After medical review, it can also be prescribed and monitored as part of an online consultation.
What is it?
Here you will learn what medically characterizes this condition and how it is defined.
HIV PrEP is a preventive medical measure in which HIV-negative individuals regularly take antiretroviral medications to prevent HIV infection.
A combination of emtricitabine and tenofovir is used. These active ingredients block key steps of viral replication, preventing HIV from permanently establishing itself in the body after exposure.
PrEP works exclusively as a preventive measure. It is not a treatment for an existing HIV infection and does not protect against other sexually transmitted diseases.
Causes
The following information explains which factors can contribute to the development of this condition.
HIV PrEP is used when there is an increased risk of HIV infection.
Typical indications include:
- Unprotected sexual intercourse with frequently changing partners
- Men who have sex with men (MSM) with increased risk
- HIV-negative individuals with an HIV-positive partner
- Sex work
- Repeated sexually transmitted infections
The decision to use PrEP should be made individually and after medical consultation.
Symptoms
This section describes the typical signs and symptoms you should watch for.
HIV PrEP is not a disease but a preventive measure. However, side effects may occur during use.
Possible side effects include:
- Nausea or diarrhea at the start of treatment
- Headaches
- Fatigue
These symptoms are usually mild and temporary.
Warning signs that should be evaluated by a physician include:
- Persistent symptoms
- Signs of kidney dysfunction
- Unexplained illness symptoms while on PrEP
Diagnosis
Below you will learn how this condition is detected through medical examinations.
A comprehensive medical examination is required before starting HIV PrEP.
This includes:
- Reliable exclusion of an existing HIV infection
- Testing for other sexually transmitted infections
- Kidney function monitoring
- Assessment of the individual risk situation
Regular follow-up examinations are necessary during treatment, typically every three months.
As part of an online consultation, the indication, previous findings, and further steps can be discussed, and necessary tests can be arranged.
Treatment
Here the available therapy options and their modes of action are explained.
HIV PrEP uses the active ingredient combination emtricitabine/tenofovir (e.g., Truvada or generics).
Dosing options:
- Daily PrEP: One tablet daily, regardless of sexual activity
- Event-based PrEP: Dosing according to a fixed schedule before and after sexual intercourse (recommended only for certain groups)
Mechanism of action: The active ingredients prevent HIV from replicating in target cells and permanently establishing itself.
Important contraindications include:
- Existing HIV infection
- Severe kidney disease
- Certain bone diseases
Treatment should always be medically supervised.
Available medications
Various prescription medications are available for treatment. Click on a medication to learn more about its effects, dosage and side effects.
Prevention
This section provides guidance on prevention and reducing risk factors.
HIV PrEP is a central component of modern HIV prevention but does not replace all protective measures.
Additional measures include:
- Condom use
- Regular testing for sexually transmitted infections
- Open communication with sexual partners
The combination of multiple protective strategies provides the best possible protection.
FAQ
Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions on this topic.
Would you like a medical assessment?
Fill out the medical questionnaire. A licensed doctor will review your information and recommend a suitable therapy if appropriate.
Important notice
This content is for general information only. In case of severe pain, shortness of breath, impaired consciousness, fever > 39°C or rapidly worsening symptoms, please seek immediate medical help ().
Related treatments
More treatments from the Geschlechtskrankheiten area that might interest you.
Chlamydien
Ein kurzer Fragebogen hilft, Symptome, Risiken und nächste Schritte strukturiert zu erfassen.
Genitalwarzen
Kurzer Check zu Symptomen, Verlauf und Vorbehandlung, um Optionen einzuordnen.
Genitalherpes
Wir fragen Verlauf und Beschwerden ab, um passende Optionen medizinisch zu bewerten.
Gonorrhoe
Ein kurzer Fragebogen hilft, Symptome und Risiken strukturiert zu erfassen.