PrEP not a licence to engage in unprotected sex

A public health specialist has warned against the use of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) as licence to having unprotected sex. Brigadier General Dr Lawson Simapuka says even though chances of contracting HIV are reduced by a huge margin when one is taking PrEP, precautions against contraction of HIV should be adhered to.

Dr Simapuka, who is also Texila American University Assistant Professor of Public Health has emphasized the need for combined preventive measures, which include PrEP, male circumcision, use of condoms, and abstinence.

Dr Simapuka has also advised discordant couples to take extra precaution in ensuring HIV negative partners maintain their status.

He said that in the case of discordant couples – where one is HIV positive and the other HIV negative – consistency in taking medication is highly recommended. That means Anti-retro-viral therapy for the HIV positive person and PrEP for the HIV negative partner.

He adds that consistency in taking medication suppresses the viral load in the blood, thereby further reducing chances of transmission of the virus to the HIV negative partner.

Dr Simapuka further advises discordant couples to seek medical advise when they decide to have children, explaining that when all precautions are adhered to, the couple can have healthy, HIV negative children.

He further called on HIV negative partners to support their HIV positive partners and ensure all doctor’s appointments are met.

Brigadier General Simapuka has also advised people living with HIV to maintain a healthy lifestyle by avoiding high intake of alcohol, cessation of smoking, maintaining a balanced diet and avoid obesity, further insisting on the need to completely end the stigma that still surrounds HIV.