Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an HIV prevention strategy in which an HIV-negative person who may be at risk takes a combination of antiretroviral medications. When these medications build up in the body, they reduce the risk of contracting HIV by:

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an HIV prevention strategy in which an HIV-negative person who may be at risk takes a combination of antiretroviral medications. When these medications build up in the body, they reduce the risk of contracting HIV by:

• A. tricking the immune system into keeping the number of CD4s cells at unusually high levels.
• B. counteracting the immunosuppressant properties of other medications that individuals may be taking.
• C. keeping the virus from replicating and establishing a permanent infection if an individual is exposed to HIV.
• D. protecting the reproductive system against other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that increase susceptibility to HIV

Answer: (C)

PrEP works by blocking HIV from making copies of itself in the body. The antiretroviral meds maintain drug levels that prevent the virus from replicating if exposure occurs, so HIV cannot establish a permanent infection. This is why the correct idea is that PrEP keeps the virus from replicating and establishing infection when someone is exposed. Adherence matters because sufficient drug levels are needed to maintain this protection. The other statements mix up mechanisms: PrEP does not increase CD4 cell counts, does not counteract the immunosuppressant effects of other medications, and it does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections.

PrEP works by blocking HIV from making copies of itself in the body. The antiretroviral meds maintain drug levels that prevent the virus from replicating if exposure occurs, so HIV cannot establish a permanent infection. This is why the correct idea is that PrEP keeps the virus from replicating and establishing infection when someone is exposed.

Adherence matters because sufficient drug levels are needed to maintain this protection. The other statements mix up mechanisms: PrEP does not increase CD4 cell counts, does not counteract the immunosuppressant effects of other medications, and it does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections.