Posts made by mat1

@MrMazda:

In reading the article about the antibodies being traceable within urine, that brings me to one question… Is it just the anti-bodies that can be detected in the urine, or is there also the presence of the virus itself? If it's just the anti-bodies, then there isn't really a risk... If however the virus itself does somehow transfer to the urine, then that's a whole other ball of wax. It's definitely something worth taking a closer look at.

Hematuria could be one possible example of HIV in urine. Blood in urine is not always visible if it's just in small amounts.

EDIT: Even with the "small amounts" of blood in the urine, when they're only in such levels that you cannot see them and you have an undetectable viral load, it's fairly safe to say that the chances are not very likely.

It's very simple to get a prescription for it, that is if you have an established physician. In a case you don't, there are lots of free or state health clinics that will see you for free if you don't have insurance. Preferred PEP treatment currently is Truvada (tablet once daily) plus Isentress 400mg (tablet twice daily) or Stribild (tablet once daily). Most common side effects (from what I hear my patients say) are fatigue and gas - Truvada, and diarrhea - Isentress. Those usually disappear after the first or two weeks. If people do not have insurance, Stribild is usually the drug of choice as the Gilead copay card covers the medication completely (twice per year - $6000 yearly maximum) - or there is another option - Gilead Advancing Access. Stribild can have side effects of Truvada plus possible weird dreams. Most patients don't really complain of any symptoms though.

I do not understand why it would be a horror story, unless we are talking about the action that leads to getting PEP.