What is HIV? HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks cells that help the body fight infection, making a person more vulnerable to other infections and diseases. It is spread by contact with certain bodily fluids of a person with HIV, most commonly during unprotected sex (sex without a condom or HIV medicine to prevent or treat HIV), or through sharing injection drug equipment.

If left untreated, HIV can lead to the disease AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). The human body can’t get rid of HIV and no effective HIV cure exists. So, once you have HIV, you have it for life.

Nevada Health Centers can assist with HIV care and prevention services and offers:

Daily testing
Counseling
Assistance with Pre-exposure (PrEP) and Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

PrEP helps prevent HIV

PrEP stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. The definition of “prophylaxis” is an action to prevent disease. The goal of PrEP is to prevent HIV infection from taking hold by taking medicine before you are exposed to the virus. PrEP is a medicine prescribed to people who do not have HIV infection but are at high risk for getting it. PrEP is a combination of two medicines to prevent HIV, which ensures you are getting the right combined daily dose for the medicine to work.