Quick Facts

PrEP stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. It is a daily drug that can be taken by people who don’t have HIV to prevent them from being infected with the virus.

If you are in South Africa and interested in PrEP, phone the national AIDS helpline free of charge at: 0800 012 322.

If you don’t have access to PrEP or the drug isn’t right for you…
There are still plenty of ways to protect yourself from HIV infection.
● Using condoms (male or female) during sexual intercourse.
● Get tested and know your partners’ statuses.
● Limit your number of sexual partners
● Don’t inject drugs/use sterilised needles
● Encourage a positive partner to commence ART and to be virally suppressed.

In 2015, South Africa was the first country on the African continent to approve oral Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, or oral PrEP, as an HIV infection prevention method. In short, oral PrEP is a daily pill developed for both men and women, to prevent HIV infection (click here to read more about PrEP). Less than a decade later, and South Africa is again leading the way with the approval of a longer acting HIV prevention product for women, a dapivirine vaginal ring (DPV-VR), also known as the DAPIRING, which was approved by SAHPRA (the South African equivalent of the FDA) in March 2022.

The Dapiring is a flexible silicone vaginal ring that women can self-insert, which contains 25mg of dapivirine (an antiretroviral drug), which is slowly released over 28 days. Thereafter, it can easily be removed and replaced with a new ring. Important to know is that the dapiring is only effective while inserted, hence, there is no residual protection once it is removed. Also, it does not protect again sexually transmitted infections and does not prevent pregnancy. The dapiring is intended to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV during vaginal sex for women who were assigned female at birth. It does not prevent HIV infection through any other mode of transmission such as rectal intercourse or through drug injection. While the dapiring is safe and reduces HIV risk it is recommended that it should be used alongside other HIV prevention methods. Just like other forms of pre-exposure HIV prevention, the dapiring should be offered as part of a combination prevention package that includes HIV counselling and testing, condoms and lubricants, STI screening and contraception.

CAB-LA is being rolled out in numerous global regions as part of comprehensive HIV prevention strategies, particularly for access by populations with high HIV incidence offering choice and an alternative to daily pill-based (oral) PrEP.

PrEP stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, a drug that can be taken by people who don’t have HIV to prevent them from being infected with the virus.

If you don’t have access to PrEP or the drug isn’t right for you, there are still plenty of ways to protect yourself from HIV infection.
● Using condoms (male or female) during sexual intercourse.
● Get tested and know your partners’ statuses.
● Limit your number of sexual partners
● Don’t inject drugs/use sterilised needles
● Encourage a positive partner to commence ART and to be virally suppressed.

In the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS, prevention remains our most powerful weapon. Effective strategies such as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) have revolutionized how we protect individuals from HIV infection. PrEP is a preventive measure for people who do not have HIV but are at high risk of contracting it. This approach is about staying one step ahead of the risk, empowering individuals to take control of their health with a proactive defense.

On the other hand, PEP is an emergency response used immediately after a possible exposure to HIV, such as unprotected sex or a needle stick injury. It involves taking antiretroviral medicines within 72 hours of exposure to prevent the virus from taking hold. PEP is a critical intervention during potential crisis moments, offering a window of opportunity to prevent HIV after exposure has already occurred.

Together, PrEP and PEP embody the dual approach of preemptive and reactive strategies in HIV prevention, offering robust tools to reduce transmission and save lives. As we continue to advance in our understanding and resources, embracing these methods can lead to significant declines in new HIV infections, steering us closer to an HIV-free generation.