"What is PEP and PrEP?"

PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) serves as an ongoing preventative shield for HIV-negative individuals who face potential exposure. By taking antiretroviral medication daily prior to any high-risk activities, it creates a robust protective barrier within the immune system that reduces the risk of acquiring HIV through sexual contact by up to 99%.

PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) acts as a crucial emergency intervention following potential exposure to HIV. It must be initiated as quickly as possible within the strict 72-hour window after a high-risk event and taken consistently for a full 28-day course to prevent the virus from replicating and establishing a permanent infection in the body.

"What is HIV?"

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the body's immune system, specifically targeting and destroying CD4 cells (T cells). Key aspects of HIV include:Lifelong Infection: The human immune system cannot completely clear the virus, so an infection lasts for life once contracted. Immune System Impact: HIV can hide in the body for long periods while progressively destroying CD4 cells, leaving the body vulnerable to other infections and diseases. If untreated, advanced HIV infection can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). Treatment & Outlook: While there is currently no cure, antiretroviral treatment (ART) effectively suppresses the virus, helps restore immune function, and enables people living with HIV to lead healthy, productive lives.

"What is AIDS?"

AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is the most advanced stage of infection caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Key facts about AIDS: It stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, representing the late stage of HIV infection where the body's immune system is severely compromised. It occurs when HIV has destroyed so many CD4 (T-cell) immune cells that the body loses its ability to fight off opportunistic infections and diseases. A person living with HIV is diagnosed with AIDS when their CD4 count drops below 200 cells/mm³ or when they contract specific opportunistic infections (such as severe pneumonia, certain cancers, or tuberculosis). Prevention & Treatment: AIDS is preventable. Modern antiretroviral therapy (ART) keeps HIV suppressed and allows the immune system to restore its function, preventing the progression from HIV to AIDS.

"What are the Signs and Symptoms?"

The signs and symptoms depend on the stage of HIV infection—ranging from early flu-like illness to opportunistic infections in advanced stages—while general STDs often manifest through localized genital discomfort or unusual discharge.

"Acute HIV Stage (2–4 Weeks Post-Exposure)"

During the early phase, many individuals experience a flu-like illness known as acute retroviral syndrome:

Fever, chills, and night sweats
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, groin, or armpits
Sore throat and painful mouth ulcers
Muscle aches, joint pain, and fatigue
Unexplained skin rash on the trunk or face

"HIV transmmition?"

The deep body fluids of an HIV infected person such as blood, semen (including pre-cum), rectal and vaginal secretions are contain of HIV. You can got infected with HIV when your mucous membrane or an open wound come into contact with these body fluids. It may directly injected into your bloodstream (by a contaminated needle or syringe) for possible transmission. Mucous membranes can be found inside the rectum, the vagina or the opening of the penis, and the mouth. Therefore, HIV can be spread by the following routes:

"Having sex with infected partner"

In Hong Kong, more than 75% of cases are infected through sexual contact and about half of the new cases reported in recent years were infected through homosexual or bisexual contact.
Anal sex is the riskiest sexual behaviour. Receptive anal sex ("bottoming") is riskier than insertive anal sex ("topping").
Vaginal sex comes in second in terms of the riskiness of sexual behaviours.
Oral sex (i.e. fellatio and rimming) carries much less risk than anal and vaginal sex. The risk is higher with receiving oral sex with cumming (ejaculating) in your mouth. Besides, other infections can be transmitted through oral sex. These include syphilis, gonorrhoea, herpes, warts, hepatitis A and B.

Know Your Risk

Is it safer to be topper than to be bottomer?

Yes, but...This doesn't mean there's no HIV risk to the insertive partner ("topper"). HIV is more easily transmitted from the insertive to the receptive partner but neither position is safe.

If he doesn't cum inside, is it safer?

No. When having sex without a condom, there's a greater chance of HIV being transmitted if an HIV-positive guy ejaculates ("cums") inside. However, HIV is also present in the pre-cum and can be transmitted through the wall of the anus, which is often damaged during sex.

How do I know if he has the same HIV status as I do?

In most cases you don't. Some men who are HIV-positive choose to have sex without condoms with other positive guys. Likewise, some men who are HIV-negative choose to have sex without condoms with the guys they assume to be HIV-negative. Assumptions like this are common but unreliable.

Is oral sex safer?

the risk of HIV transmission during oral sex increases if:

. the insertive partner has a high viral load; . ejaculation into the mouth occurs; . the receptive partner's mouth is breached in some way allowing HIV to enter.

What is PEP?

PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) is an emergency, short-term medication regimen taken after a potential exposure to HIV to prevent becoming infected. "Prophylaxis" means to prevent disease.

Contact Us

Address:

Central Clinic
Room 704, 7/F, Manning House
38 Queen's Road Central, Central
Hong Kong

Contact:

+852 65118000

info@emchk.com

Opening Hours:

Mon - Sat

10:00 am – 1:00 pm

3:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Sunday

Tsim Sha Tsui Clinic
Room 1213, Tower 3, China Hong Kong City, 33 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui