MCHD will be in the community this week with HIV PrEP info

Dec. 1, 2024

By Mary Wade Burnside

During the week of World AIDS Day, which takes place annually on Dec. 1, Monongalia County Health Department has a couple of new tools in its arsenal to help our patients prevent HIV, and staff members will be participating in outreach this week to connect community members with these options.
Since June, MCHD Clinical Services has been offering HIV PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, a daily medication that is 99% effective in preventing HIV.
We also have Doxy-PEP, or Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis, a post-exposure option that helps prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis.
Launched by the World Health Organization in 1988, World AIDS Day brings awareness to HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), which attacks the immune system and can lead to AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
MCHD Clinical Services providers have been happy with patient turnout for these medications.
“It’s going phenomenally,” said nurse practitioner Haley Tucker, APRN. “We’ve been able to help a lot of people in the community who want to have completely confidential care, and a lot of people who don’t want to use their insurance.”
HIV PrEP and Doxy-PEP can be billed to insurance, but MCHD Clinical Services also offers a sliding-scale fee that makes it affordable to anyone who needs it.
“People are really appreciative of how we help them find lowest-cost medication in the area,” Tucker said.”Before they leave, we look up prices everywhere.”
According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HIV can be transmitted through bodily fluids, including blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid, rectal and vaginal fluids and breast milk.
These fluids must come in contact with a mucous membrane or damaged tissue or be directly injected into the bloodstream, with a needle or syringe, for transmission to occur, CDC information further notes.
Initial symptoms can appear two to four weeks after exposure and are often flu-like, which means they can easily be mistaken for other illnesses.
Monongalia County Health Department offers free testing for not only HIV, but other STIs including chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. Free treatment is offered for the latter three infections.
Individuals who want to find out if HIV PrEP and Doxy-PEP would be right for them can call 304-598-5119 for an appointment. Routine lab work will be conducted and Tucker can then prescribe the medication if it’s the right option for the patient.
Tucker notes that a variety of individuals can benefit from this treatment.
“Certain populations are at greater risk for contracting HIV, and that’s the bigger push for HIV PrEP,” she said. “But if anyone thinks that they are at risk, we are more than happy to consult with them and see if they are a good candidate.”
In observance of World AIDS Day, Tucker will be participating in events this week to hand out condoms, emergency contraception and PrEP information. MCHD Threat Preparedness will also be on hand to distribute naloxone and provide training if needed.
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tucker will be at the pylons at the Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center for an event called Condoms & Cupcakes. During that same time frame, she will be at the WVU Mountainlair on Tuesday for Know Your Status, a free HIV testing event.
Then, on Friday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.,Tucker will offer these options at Milan Puskar HeathRight in Morgantown.
“Clinical Services is very excited to participate in these events and spread information related to HIV PrEP and Doxy-PEP,” she said. “We will be able to provide counseling at the events for anyone who would like to discuss our services.”
Nurses at Monongalia County Health Department have undergone Safe Zone Training at the WVU LGBTQ+ Center and are known for their confidentiality and friendliness.
“Fortunately, we have welcoming nurses who provide non-judgmental care,” she said.
MCHD Clinical Services staff have been able to help a variety of patients of different ages and with different situations with HIV PrEP and Doxy-Pep. Tucker noted that patients so far have ranged in age from 18 to 65.
“HIV is unfortunately more prevalent than we would think in West Virginia, and it’s good to protect yourself,” she said. “HIV PrEP is indicated for anyone who thinks they would benefit from it.”
Mary Wade Burnside is the public information officer at Monongalia County Health Department.