Up-to-date, reliable HIV and sexual-health knowledge.
PEP, or emergency antiretroviral medicine, is highly effective at reducing the risk of HIV when started quickly within 72 hours after a risk and taken for the full 28 days as advised. The sooner you start, the better. This guide explains how well PEP works, factors that make it effective, why you must start quickly, and what to do after completing it.
Night sweats are a non-specific symptom of HIV with many possible causes, from environment to other health conditions to stress. Having night sweats doesn't mean HIV and can't be used to diagnose. This guide explains how night sweats relate to HIV, other causes, and why testing is the only way to know your status for certain.
Tattoos or piercings don't transmit HIV by themselves. The risk is in using unclean or shared equipment, such as needles or ink reused without sterilization, which may cause contaminated blood contact. With single-use sterile equipment and a standard-compliant shop, the risk is very low. This guide explains where the risk is and how to choose a safe shop.
An HIV test showing two lines or reactive on a screening test is a preliminary result, not a final conclusion, and always needs confirmatory testing, because screening tests can have false positives. This guide explains what a reactive result means, why confirmation is needed, and what to do next, with encouragement to get through this time.
PrEP needs to be taken consistently for a period before it builds up to a level that protects against HIV. The exact time depends on the regimen and how it's taken, so consult a doctor. This guide explains why PrEP takes time, what to do early on, how important consistency is, and how to stop PrEP.
Saliva doesn't transmit HIV and isn't a transmission route, because the amount of virus in saliva is too low to cause infection. Normal kissing, eating together, or being exposed to saliva isn't risky. This guide explains why saliva doesn't transmit the virus and what the actual transmission routes are, to ease worry with accurate information.
An HIV test doesn't require fasting beforehand and is easy to prepare for. This guide explains what to prepare, how to time it appropriately after a risk, what documents you may need, the steps on test day, pre- and post-test counseling, and preparing emotionally, so you can get tested smoothly and comfortably.
HIV symptoms in women are mostly similar to those in men, including flu-like symptoms early or no symptoms in the latent stage. Although there are some points that may differ slightly, all symptoms are non-specific and can't be used to diagnose. This guide explains what symptoms in women are like, the points that may differ, and why testing is the only way to know your status for certain.
PrEP and condoms are HIV prevention methods with different strengths. PrEP is a medicine taken in advance that prevents HIV only, while condoms prevent HIV, other STIs, and pregnancy. This guide explains the differences, each one's pros and cons, and why using both gives the best protection.
