Abstract
Objectives: We aimed to develop a guidance on the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis(PrEP) for HIV tailored to the Belgian context.
Methods: Different aspects of PrEP care were judged by an expert group of nine Belgianclinicians, seeking consensus for areas of controversies.
Results: PrEP should be considered in HIV negative patients at high risk of acquiring HIV.Currently, only oral tenofovir/emtricitabine is available in Belgium for PrEP, which can be useddaily, or also event-driven in cisgender men and trans women who are not taking exogenousestradiol-based hormones. Personal counselling directed at medication adherence and sexualhealth should have a central role in PrEP care. At the initial assessment clinicians should giveattention to symptoms of an acute HIV infection, the patients’ immunization status and renalfunction. A regular follow-up must be set up to diagnose HIV seroconversion, treat sexuallytransmitted infections, and manage side effects of PrEP.
Conclusion: The Belgian guidance on the use of PrEP provides a point of reference for standardPrEP care in Belgium and will be periodically updated
Methods: Different aspects of PrEP care were judged by an expert group of nine Belgianclinicians, seeking consensus for areas of controversies.
Results: PrEP should be considered in HIV negative patients at high risk of acquiring HIV.Currently, only oral tenofovir/emtricitabine is available in Belgium for PrEP, which can be useddaily, or also event-driven in cisgender men and trans women who are not taking exogenousestradiol-based hormones. Personal counselling directed at medication adherence and sexualhealth should have a central role in PrEP care. At the initial assessment clinicians should giveattention to symptoms of an acute HIV infection, the patients’ immunization status and renalfunction. A regular follow-up must be set up to diagnose HIV seroconversion, treat sexuallytransmitted infections, and manage side effects of PrEP.
Conclusion: The Belgian guidance on the use of PrEP provides a point of reference for standardPrEP care in Belgium and will be periodically updated
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Acta Clinica Belgica |
| Volume | 79 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Pages (from-to) | 121-129 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| ISSN | 0001-5512 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2024 |
Keywords
- HIV
- Guidance
- Pre-exposure prophylaxis