Faced with the 553% increase in the number of HIV cases in Rio Grande do Norte between 2012 and 2022, the State Department of Public Health (Sesap) intensified measures and expanded two for 20 the places of care for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV in RN.
Between the decade of 2012 and 2022, the number of HIV notifications in RN increased from 93 to 608. AIDS cases increased from 463 to 609 in the same period, which represents a growth of 31.5%, according to the Epidemiological Bulletin on HIV/AIDS from the Ministry of Health. In 2023, 348 cases were registered, the lowest number since 2015, and 295 of AIDS.
Until 2021, the public care network in the state only had one PrEP at Hospital Giselda Trigueiro, in Natal, and another at Hospital Rafael Fernandes, in Mossoró. Now, the network has 20 services distributed across all regions of the state. The provision of PEP services increased from 28 in 2021 to 47 services currently.
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis is now offered in the municipalities of São José de Mipibu; Mossoró; Riachuelo; Ceará Mirim; Caicó; São Paulo do Potengi; Pau dos Ferros; Christmas; Macaíba; Parnamirim; São Gonçalo do Amarante; Extremoz and Assu.
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis is available in the cities of Santo Antônio; São José de Mipibú; Mossoró; São Miguel do Gostoso; João Câmara; Ceará Mirim; New Corrals; Caicó; São Paulo do Potengi; Holy Cross; Pau dos Ferros; Christmas; Macaíba; Parnamirim; São Gonçalo do Amarante; Extremoz and Assu.
Sesap plans to expand the State STI/AIDS and Viral Hepatitis Program to more municipalities, in addition to monitoring services and training teams.
What is it Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)?
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV is a method of preventing HIV infection and consists of taking a daily pill that allows the body to be prepared to face possible contact with the virus, that is, the individual prepares himself beforehand. of having a sexual relationship that poses a risk of HIV.
PrEP is also offered “on demand” when the individual is able to plan when sexual intercourse will occur. PrEP is indicated for all people at risk of HIV and is useful for those who want it and need it. Groups that still have a higher rate of HIV infection, such as gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM), trans people, sex workers, as well as people who have casual sex without a condom (unknown serology) or with someone who is HIV positive and who is not on treatment, those who repeatedly use PEP (HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis), and/or have frequent episodes of Sexually Transmitted Infections or who have sex under the influence of psychoactive drugs, are also eligible to use PrEP.
However, PrEP no is indicated for those who have the virus, but for people who know that they will expose themselves to possible contamination, which is why it is carried out after qualified care, in which the health professional will direct the conduct according to the particularities of the person who look for the service.
The recommended approach, in the case of sexual intercourse, continues to be prevention through the use of condoms, which also prevents the transmission of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Infections.
“The guidance is that all people adopt prevention in combination and do not use PrEP alone, because although its effectiveness is greater than 95%, it is not a 100% safe prophylaxis and is strongly associated with adherence, in addition to only preventing HIV infection, not being effective against other Sexually Transmitted Infections”, highlights Maria Vanessa Nogueira, nurse at the State IST/AIDS and Viral Hepatitis Program.
People over 15 years of age, with a body weight above 35 kilos and who are at risk for HIV may be eligible to receive PrEP.
What is Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)?
PEP is a method of preventing HIV infection used after exposure to the virus. It is urgent care and must be initiated within a period of two to, at most, 72 hours after exposure through sexual intercourse or an accident with biological material.
The medicine must be used continuously for 28 days. PEP is indicated for those who have had consensual sexual activity without using a condom, in cases of condom breakage, accidents with biological material or who have been victims of sexual abuse. Rio Grande do Norte has 48 PEP service locations, located in 17 municipalities.
What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?
AIDS is the disease caused by infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The virus attacks the immune system, which is responsible for defending the body from diseases.
Having HIV does not mean that the person will develop AIDS; however, once infected, a person will live with HIV throughout their life. The treatment, however, keeps the person with an undetectable viral load, with no possibility of transmission.
