{"id":44136,"date":"2026-02-10T14:25:35","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T14:25:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/doralhw.org\/prep-for-hiv-heres-how-it-works\/"},"modified":"2026-02-10T14:25:35","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T14:25:35","slug":"prep-for-hiv-heres-how-it-works","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doralhw.org\/prep-for-hiv-heres-how-it-works\/","title":{"rendered":"PrEP for HIV: Here\u2019s How It Works"},"content":{"rendered":"

For decades, the fight against HIV focused\u00a0largely on\u00a0treatment and barrier methods. Today, we have a powerful tool that has revolutionized prevention:\u00a0<\/span>pre-exposure prophylaxis, or\u00a0PrEP<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0This daily medication is designed for people who do not have HIV but are at\u00a0a higher\u00a0risk of exposure. By taking a simple pill, individuals can significantly reduce their chances of contracting the virus. In this guide, we will explore\u00a0<\/span>how\u00a0PrEP\u00a0prevents HIV, discuss who is eligible, and break down potential\u00a0PrEP\u00a0side effects. Understanding these key aspects is the first step toward taking control of your sexual health.\u00a0Reach out to us on\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>https:\/\/doralhw.org\/contact-us\/<\/span><\/a>\u00a0for a consultation with the best infectious disease doctors in Brooklyn, New York.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Science: How\u00a0PrEP\u00a0Prevents HIV<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Many people wonder, just\u00a0<\/span>how does\u00a0PrEP\u00a0prevent HIV\u00a0so effectively? The mechanism is\u00a0essentially a\u00a0blockade strategy.\u00a0PrEP\u00a0medications\u00a0contain\u00a0antiretroviral drugs\u2014the same type used to treat people living with HIV, but in different combinations and dosages.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When you take\u00a0PrEP\u00a0daily, these drugs build up in your bloodstream and genital tissues. They act as a shield for your immune system’s cells.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Blocking the Virus<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

HIV<\/span><\/a>\u00a0attacks the body by entering healthy immune cells (specifically CD4 cells) and using the\u00a0cell’s\u00a0machinery to make copies of itself. This process allows the infection to spread throughout the body. The drugs in\u00a0PrEP\u00a0interfere with an enzyme that the virus needs to replicate.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n