There are lots of reasons why we may choose to take PrEP. PrEP may be right for us if we are HIV-negative and looking for more options to prevent HIV. The Stigma Project has an online quiz available here to help individuals determine if they may benefit from taking PrEP. The criteria in the quiz are based on the guidelines developed by the CDC for health care providers who are considering prescribing PrEP. Depending on our bodies and health, taking Truvada may not be possible.

The World Health Organization (WHO), the Centre for Disease Control, and the BC Centre for Excellence recommend PrEP be considered as an HIV prevention method for people who are HIV-negative, over the age of 18, need more HIV prevention options and are in one or more of the following groups:

• people in sexual relationships with people living with HIV

• cisgender men who have sex with men

• transgender women

• people who inject drugs

Following these WHO recommendations, YouthCO believes that PrEP should be available to HIV-negative individuals over 18 years who have a real possibility of getting HIV, and who aren't using additional prevention options (whether by choice or because of barriers). More research evidence is needed to understand if PrEP is a beneficial HIV prevention strategy for people under 18 and transmen.

We believe PrEP is not right for everyone, and that PrEP is not the only strategy we can use to prevent HIV from being passed. For example, PrEP might not be right for us if we are not able to take a pill every day and/or attend regular appointments with our doctors to check for side effects and get tested for HIV and STIs. PrEP also might not be right for us if we aren't coming into contact with HIV. When making decisions about our health, it is important for us to use what we know about ourselves to find what works for how we live our lives. If we want to talk to someone about if PrEP is right for us, YouthCO can help!