Before starting Truvada for HIV PrEP, which tests must be documented?

Before starting Truvada for HIV PrEP, which tests must be documented?

• A. HIV antibody testing, Hepatitis B surface antibody and antigen, renal panel, STI screening, and urine pregnancy test
• B. HIV antibody testing only
• C. Hepatitis C antibody testing and liver panel
• D. Pregnancy test only

Answer: (A)

Starting Truvada for HIV PrEP requires confirming HIV-negative status and then assessing safety and potential coinfections before use. A four-generation HIV test helps catch acute infection that a antibody test alone might miss, ensuring you’re not starting PrEP in someone who already has HIV. Baseline hepatitis B status is important because tenofovir-emtricitabine can affect HBV infection management; documenting both HBV surface antigen and surface antibody tells you if someone is chronically infected, immune from vaccination, or susceptible to infection, guiding counseling and vaccination decisions as needed. Checking renal function is essential since tenofovir can impact kidney function, so a renal panel (creatinine and eGFR) establishes a safe starting point and informs ongoing monitoring. Screening for other sexually transmitted infections at baseline is advised because PrEP users have elevated risk for STIs, and treating or counseling for these conditions is part of comprehensive care. A pregnancy test (urine test in this option) is documented when there is potential pregnancy, to inform management and safety considerations in those who could become pregnant. All of these pieces together provide a safe, effective starting point for PrEP.

Starting Truvada for HIV PrEP requires confirming HIV-negative status and then assessing safety and potential coinfections before use. A four-generation HIV test helps catch acute infection that a antibody test alone might miss, ensuring you’re not starting PrEP in someone who already has HIV. Baseline hepatitis B status is important because tenofovir-emtricitabine can affect HBV infection management; documenting both HBV surface antigen and surface antibody tells you if someone is chronically infected, immune from vaccination, or susceptible to infection, guiding counseling and vaccination decisions as needed. Checking renal function is essential since tenofovir can impact kidney function, so a renal panel (creatinine and eGFR) establishes a safe starting point and informs ongoing monitoring. Screening for other sexually transmitted infections at baseline is advised because PrEP users have elevated risk for STIs, and treating or counseling for these conditions is part of comprehensive care. A pregnancy test (urine test in this option) is documented when there is potential pregnancy, to inform management and safety considerations in those who could become pregnant.

All of these pieces together provide a safe, effective starting point for PrEP.