The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed a guideline for preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent spread of HIV to certain high risk populations. One group involves anyone who injects illegal drugs..
A candidate for HIV preexposure prophylaxis – all of the following
(1) adult
(2) without established HIV infection or acute HIV infection
(3) one or more episodes of drug injection in the past 6 months AND the drug was not prescribed by a clinician
(4) one or more of the following:
(4a) any sharing of drug preparation or injection equipment with someone else in the past 6 months
(4b) at risk for sexual acquisition of HIV
(4c) been in a methadone, buprenorphine or suboxone treatment program in the past 6 months
where:
• An adolescent can inject durgs and so may be at risk. However, providing prophylaxis to this population may require involvement of the patient’s parents or guardians.
• Some oral opiates prescribed by a physician could be injected by someone who abuses drugs.
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