HIV infection pre-exposure prophylaxis

HIV infection pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a preventive biomedical indication designated for HIV-1-negative adults and adolescents who are at ongoing, substantial risk of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus through sexual intercourse or injection drug use.

The intervention addresses potential systemic immune exposure, specifically guarding against mucosal and hematologic invasion by retroviral pathogens that target host CD4+ T lymphocytes and macrophages.

Pathophysiologically, the strategy establishes protective concentrations of antiretroviral agents in peripheral blood and genital or rectal tissues prior to viral inoculation.

This preventive state halts early reverse transcription and cellular integration, thereby blocking sustained viral replication and preventing the establishment of permanent systemic infection.