The Laredo Health Department receives money for PrEP and PEP medication
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Jul 19, 2022, 0 Comments
Courtesy Eliseo Ceja,
LAREDO, Texas – The City of Laredo Health Department recently acquired $75,000 to provide community members access to PrEP and PEP. Individuals will incur a $45 cost for medication, provider visits, and lab work. Individuals seeking this medication must provide negative HIV test results before receiving the medication.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis, also known as PrEP, is for people who do not have HIV but are at a high risk of being exposed to it. PrEP is a daily medication that can reduce the probability of contracting HIV.
Post-exposure prevention, also known as PEP, is for individuals who have possibly been exposed to HIV. It is only for emergency use and must be started within 72 hours after a possible exposure.
Individuals are considered at risk of contracting HIV if they have contacted a shared needle or have had sexual contact with an individual who has tested positive for HIV.
The program is now available at the Laredo Health Department, and individuals can now request these services on a needed basis.