frequently asked questions

Activities that put you at risk for HIV include having sex without a condom, having sex with an HIV-positive person or someone who doesn’t know their HIV status, and sharing injection drug equipment.

The most common side effects of PrEP are headache and stomachache. They usually go away after a few weeks.

Contact our clinic immediately to get started on post-exposure prophylactic medications, which prevent permanent HIV infection. PEP treatment must be started within 72 hours after a recent possible exposure to HIV.

Our HIV Care Coordinator will coordinate and navigate you to your care visit with a specialist to start antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART helps HIV-positive people live long, healthy lives and prevents the spread of HIV to their sexual partners.

The clinic is open M-F from 8am-5pm.

At this time, walk-ins are accommodated on a case-by-case basis. Please call us for more information.

We have Spanish translators.

According to CA law minors over the age of 12 are allowed to consent for PrEP-related services without their parent’s knowledge or approval. This includes STD/STI/HIV testing and treatment. However, check with your Care Coordinator to see if this rule still applies.

San Fernando Community Health Center does not ask for legal status. We assist anyone.

PrEP is recommended for people who want to protect themselves from an HIV infection.

PrEP is available in pill form under either of the brand names Truvada or Descovy. Each brand should be taken by mouth once a day. Apretude is an injectable form of PrEP to be used once every 2 months.

PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV. Prep reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99% when taken as prescribed. Although there is less information about how effective PrEP is among people who inject drugs, we do know that PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV by at least 74% when taken as prescribed.

The most common side effects of PrEP are headache and stomachache. They usually go away after a few weeks.

No. Regular condom use is still recommended to prevent HIV, and PrEP doesn’t prevent other STDs or pregnancy.

You should not give away your PrEP as the prescription is meant for the person whose name is on the bottle only.

Most insurance plans, including Medi-Cal, cover PrEP medication. If you don't have insurance, our PrEP Care Coordinator will assist you to apply with patient assistance program that would cover PrEP at no cost.

We accept most insurances except Kaiser.

There’s various assistance programs such as PrEP-AP, Family PACT, Gilead Advancing Access, and ViiV Connect.

You can use your parent’s insurance if they are aware or you want them to be. Otherwise, you can choose to remain confidential.

If you have confidentiality concerns due to the policy belonging to a parent, partner or other, you have the right to choose not to use your insurance.

PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, is medication that prevents HIV infection. People who are HIV negative with high risk behaviors, such as having unprotected sex and sharing needles with an HIV-positive or unknown HIV status partner, will benefit from PrEP. PrEP comes in both pill and injectable forms. PrEP doesn’t protect against other STDs, and regular condom use is still recommended.

Truvada or Descovy are brands of PrEP pills to be taken orally once a day. When taken as prescribed, these PrEP pills reduce the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99%. You must be HIV-negative to start and continue using it, so PrEP patients need to test for HIV every three months. The most common side effects are tolerable and go away after a few weeks of treatment. This treatment is most effective after seven days of use for anal sex, 21 days of use for vaginal sex and injection drug use.

Apretude is an injectable PrEP medication that is 98% effective when taken as prescribed. This PrEP medication is especially appropriate for patients who have difficulty with adherent use of oral PrEP and those who prefer injections every 2 months to an oral PrEP dosing schedule. You must be HIV-negative to start and continue using it, so users need to test for HIV every two months. The most common side effects are a reaction at the injection site and headache.

PEP, or post-exposure prophylaxis, is medication that prevents permanent HIV infection after possible exposure to HIV. It is two to three pills to be taken orally once to twice daily for 28 days. PEP should be used only in emergency situations and must be started within 72 hours after a recent possible exposure to HIV.

ART, or antiretroviral therapy, is a combination of medications that prevents HIV from multiplying in the body. The medications are pills to be taken orally every day. People with HIV should start ART as soon as possible after they are diagnosed. ART also prevents HIV-positive people from spreading the virus to their partners during sex.

PEP is highly effective, but its effectiveness is lower the longer you wait.

The most common side effect is nausea.

No, PEP is intended only for emergency situations. If you are at risk, talk to your care provider about starting PrEP.

PrEP is pre-exposure and PEP is post-exposure.

You should take PEP if you feel like you may have been exposed to HIV. Must begin taking within 24-72 hours.

We recommend visiting an urgent care and then we can schedule a follow up with our providers.

Used for patients who are insured and with confidentiality concerns.

Used for patients who are insured and would like either Truvada or Descovy.

Used for patients who are uninsured or who do not have prescription coverage and would like the injectable form of PrEP (Apretude).

Used for patients who are uninsured, have confidentiality concerns, or are out-of-network with their insurances.

Used for helping with the costs of PrEP that a third party did not cover such as your insurance or another 3rd party assistance program. Also used for those with confidentiality concerns and minors.