Confidential HIV Prevention With PrEP
PrEP is medicine that greatly lowers the chance of getting HIV. We offer confidential PrEP care by telehealth for patients located in Utah, with testing at a local lab, a prescription sent to your pharmacy when appropriate, and regular follow-up.
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What Is HIV PrEP?
PrEP, short for pre-exposure prophylaxis, is medicine taken by people who do not have HIV to lower their chance of getting it. Taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV from sex, and it also lowers the risk from injection drug use. It does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections, so condoms and regular STD testing still matter.
PrEP can be a good fit for anyone who could be exposed to HIV, including people with a partner who has HIV, people who do not always use condoms, people who have recently had an STD, and people who inject drugs. Brooke Tuttle, FNP-C, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner who has practiced family medicine since 2017 and provides confidential, judgment-free PrEP care as part of everyday primary care.
Most PrEP care works well by telehealth: a confidential visit, labs at a local lab and a prescription sent to your pharmacy. Long-acting injectable PrEP is given as a shot by a clinician and needs in-person visits. Sagebrooke starts as a telehealth practice, and an in-person clinic is planned in Cache County, Utah. Until then, if injectable PrEP is the right fit, we will help you arrange it.
PrEP may be right for you if
- You have a sexual partner who has HIV
- You do not always use condoms
- You have had a sexually transmitted infection in the past 6 months
- You have more than one partner, or a partner whose HIV status you do not know
- You inject drugs or share needles or other equipment
- You have taken PEP after a possible exposure and could be exposed again
- You simply want extra protection against HIV
What to Expect
- A confidential telehealth visit, without judgment
- An HIV test before starting, plus kidney function, hepatitis B and STD testing at a local lab
- A prescription for daily PrEP pills sent to your pharmacy when appropriate
- Help arranging long-acting injectable PrEP, which needs in-person visits
- Follow-up and HIV testing about every 3 months while you take PrEP pills
How PrEP Care Works
A Confidential Visit
We talk through your health history, sexual health, medications and which kind of PrEP fits your life. We also ask about any recent possible exposure, because that changes what you need first.
Testing Before Starting
PrEP is only for people who do not have HIV, so an HIV test comes first. Labs at a local lab also check kidney function, hepatitis B and other sexually transmitted infections.
Regular Follow-Up
People taking PrEP pills have follow-up and HIV testing about every 3 months, with STD testing and kidney checks on a regular schedule. This keeps PrEP safe and effective.
Benefits
Strong Protection
Taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV.
Private and Judgment-Free
PrEP care is confidential, and your sexual health is treated like any other part of your health.
Care From Home
Most PrEP visits happen by video, with labs at a local lab and prescriptions at your pharmacy.
Connected to Your Primary Care
PrEP fits alongside the rest of your health care, including STD testing, vaccine reviews and everyday sick visits.
How Care Usually Unfolds
First Visit
A telehealth visit to review your history and goals and decide whether PrEP fits. We order an HIV test and other labs at a local lab.
Starting PrEP
Once your results confirm you do not have HIV and it is safe to start, we send a prescription to your pharmacy or help you arrange injectable PrEP. We explain when PrEP starts protecting you, which depends on the type of exposure.
Every 3 Months
For PrEP pills, follow-up and HIV testing about every 3 months, plus STD testing and regular kidney checks. Refills continue as long as your tests stay negative and PrEP is still a good fit.
Long Term
Your needs may change over time. We revisit whether PrEP still fits, and how to stop or restart safely if your situation changes.
A possible exposure in the last 72 hours needs PEP, not PrEP
If you think you were exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours, for example through sex without a condom, a broken condom, or sharing needles, go to an emergency room or urgent care right away and ask about PEP, which stands for post-exposure prophylaxis. PEP must be started within 72 hours, and it works best the sooner it is started. Do not wait for a telehealth appointment.
After you finish PEP, we can talk about whether PrEP makes sense for you going forward.
Pills or injections
Daily PrEP pills are taken by mouth once a day. They can be started after a telehealth visit and lab testing, and they need follow-up testing about every 3 months.
Long-acting injectable PrEP is given as a shot by a clinician, every 2 months or every 6 months depending on the medication. It can be a good option for people who find a daily pill hard to keep up with, but it needs in-person visits, and we will help you arrange them.
PrEP works only while you take it as prescribed. If you want to stop, talk with us first so we can plan a safe way to do it.
Side effects and safety
Most people tolerate PrEP well. Some have mild stomach upset or headaches in the first weeks. Because some PrEP pills can affect the kidneys and bones, regular lab monitoring is part of PrEP care. If you have hepatitis B, starting or stopping certain PrEP pills needs special care, which is one reason hepatitis B testing comes first.
Common Questions About HIV PrEP
Can I get PrEP by telehealth?
Yes. Daily PrEP pills can be prescribed after a telehealth visit and lab testing at a local lab, for patients located in Utah. Long-acting injectable PrEP needs in-person visits, which we will help you arrange.
What tests do I need before starting PrEP?
An HIV test is required before starting, because PrEP is only for people who do not have HIV. We also check kidney function, hepatitis B and other sexually transmitted infections, and order other labs based on your history.
How often do I need follow-up?
For PrEP pills, follow-up and HIV testing are about every 3 months, with STD testing and regular kidney checks. Injectable PrEP has its own schedule of in-person visits and testing.
I may have been exposed to HIV in the last few days. Can I start PrEP?
PrEP is not the right medicine after a recent exposure. If a possible HIV exposure happened in the last 72 hours, go to an emergency room or urgent care right away and ask about PEP. PEP must be started within 72 hours and works best the sooner it is started.
Does PrEP protect against other STDs?
No. PrEP protects against HIV only. Condoms lower the risk of other sexually transmitted infections, and regular STD testing is part of PrEP care.
Is my PrEP care confidential?
Yes. Your visits and results are private. If you are on someone else's insurance plan, the plan may send an explanation of benefits to the policyholder, so you may want to ask your insurer how it handles privacy.
Does insurance cover PrEP?
Sagebrooke Family Medicine is an insurance-based practice, and we are in the process of joining insurance plans. What you pay depends on your plan, including any copay, deductible or coinsurance. Contact the practice to check whether your plan is accepted, and check with your insurer about coverage for medications, labs and imaging.
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Telehealth care for students near Utah State University.
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Telehealth
How Telehealth Visits Work
What to expect from a video visit and what needs an in-person visit.
Ready to Talk About PrEP?
Reach out through our contact page to ask a question, check whether your insurance plan is accepted, or request a confidential telehealth appointment. If a possible HIV exposure happened in the last 72 hours, go to an emergency room or urgent care now and ask about PEP.
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