DR CHRISTIAN

THE CLINIC

Q & A

Our health expert Dr Christian Jessen answers your medical queries

GOT A PROBLEM, WANT ANSWERS? • Email DRCHRISTIAN@ATTITUDE.CO.UK

Q There’s been a lot in the news recently about preventative HIV drugs such as PrEP and Truvada, but do they really prevent HIV and are they safe to use?

Harrison, London

A Firstly, the term ‘PrEP’ stands for ‘pre-exposure prophylaxis’, which is a new HIV prevention method, while Truvada is one of the PrEP drugs currently available in the US and currently undergoing trials in the UK. PrEP involves taking antiretroviral drugs in situations where you feel you may be at risk from contracting the disease. The drugs work by preventing HIV from establishing a permanent hold or infection in the body. It is highly effective but it has to be taken consistently in order for it to be effective. So far, there have been no significant safety concerns with PrEP medication. The most common side effects are an upset stomach, loss of appetite and sleep problems but these tend to resolve after a month of regularly taking. There have been concerns about drug resistance developing in people on PrEP should they become HIV positive at some stage, but new testing methods and sensible clinical advice can help avoid this happening.

Q My boyfriend sweats excessively at the gym, and sometimes if it’s hot he comes home smelling awful. What can cause this and how can it be helped?