Tampa HIV Prevention: The Importance Of Patient Education

When it comes to Tampa HIV prevention, there are more options available to you than ever before. Harmony Healthcare Orlando provides the education and treatment services that you need, regardless of your insurance status or ability to pay. 

What Is HIV?

Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, is a virus that attacks your body’s immune system by destroying cells that fight disease and infection. If this virus is not treated, it can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS. Although there is currently no cure for HIV, people who are HIV-positive can protect their partners and live full, healthy lives with proper treatment and medical care. At Harmony Healthcare Orlando, we are committed to providing the resources you need for effective Tampa HIV prevention.

How Can I Prevent HIV Transmission

Actions that you can take to effectively lower your risk of contracting or transmitting HIV include engaging in low-risk sexual activities and proper condom use. Sexual activities that do not involve contact with bodily fluids such as semen, blood, or vaginal fluid do not carry a risk for contracting HIV. Oral sex is an excellent option since there is little to no risk of getting HIV.

Using condoms correctly is another highly effective strategy for Tampa HIV prevention, especially when combined with personal lubricants to prevent condom breakage. Harmony Healthcare Orlando provides internal and external condoms in a variety of shapes and sizes to anyone who might need them. 

If you use injection drugs, you can protect yourself and others from HIV by not sharing needles, syringes, and other injection equipment. If you do share needles and other equipment, you can clean them with bleach between uses.

Tampa HIV Prevention: PrEP and PEP

Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is a daily medication that can be taken to prevent HIV from sexual activity or injection drug use. When taken as directed, it is highly effective at preventing transmission and reduces the risk of getting HIV from sexual activity by about 99%. PrEP is very safe and only causes mild side effects that typically disappear over time, if they occur at all. 

Post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP, is an antiretroviral medication that can be taken after possible HIV exposure to prevent infection. It must be started within 72 hours of potential exposure, and it is taken daily for 28 days. The earlier that PEP is administered after a potential HIV exposure, the more effective it is. 

Concerned About Paying For Medical Care?

You do not need to be worried about your ability to care for your health because of your financial situation. At Harmony Healthcare Orlando, we believe that everyone is deserving of respectful, quality care, which is why we provide it at no cost to our patients. Tampa HIV prevention is simple when you have equipped yourself with personal knowledge and partnered with a team of experienced medical providers. In addition to HIV testing and treatment, we also offer the following services:

• Hepatitis C medical care
• STI testing and treatment
• Transportation services
• Social service support

To learn more, and to access medical care in a welcoming, inclusive environment, fill out our online contact form. We look forward to delivering the care you need.