Can you get HIV from someone on PrEP?

This article provides a comprehensive overview of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a highly effective HIV prevention medication for people who are HIV-negative and at increased risk of acquiring the virus. It explains that when taken as prescribed, PrEP reduces HIV transmission risk by about 99%, making the chance of contracting HIV from someone correctly using PrEP extremely low. The article outlines who may benefit from PrEP—such as individuals with partners of unknown status, people who inject drugs, and those who exchange sex for resources—and emphasizes that people with partners who have an undetectable viral load due to treatment may not need PrEP. It describes available PrEP options, including daily oral pills, long-acting injections, and on-demand dosing for anal sex, as well as the importance of consistent adherence to maintain protective drug levels. The text clarifies that PrEP prevents HIV but not other sexually transmitted infections, highlighting the continued need for condoms, routine STI testing, and safer sex practices. Additional considerations include potential side effects, factors that reduce effectiveness, the need for regular HIV testing to avoid taking PrEP with an undiagnosed infection, and broader prevention tools such as avoiding needle sharing. Overall, the article underscores PrEP as a powerful HIV prevention strategy that is most effective when paired with regular medical follow-up and comprehensive sexual health practices.