‘PrEP is the best medical invention since the stethoscope’ - GP

Clement Manyathela speaks with Dr Donny Fick, General Practitioner.

Listen to the interview in the audio below.

Daily Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) medication can reduce the risk of contracting HIV by over 90%.

This medication is taken by HIV-negative individuals and acts as a chemical barrier to HIV infection.

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This means the virus will not be able to take hold in the immune system or replicate.

For those who are high risk, such as sex workers or people in a relationship with someone with HIV, this is an essential tool.

Fick says this medication is a game changer in HIV prevention.

“It is the biggest invention in modern medicine after the stethoscope.”

- Dr Donny Fick, General Practitioner

The medication will need to be taken every day, and he recommends every sexually active person consider taking it.

If you are on PrEP, your doctor may ask you to come back every three months to check your kidney function.

While PrEP is effective against HIV, it does not prevent any other sexually transmitted diseases (STIs).

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.