This is Part 4 of our five-part Sexual Health & STI Awareness Series. If you missed earlier posts, start with Part 1: STI Testing 101, then read Part 2: The Most Common STIs in Brooklyn & NYC and Part 3: STIs With No Symptoms.
HIV Prevention Has Never Been More Effective — And NYC Still Has Work to Do
For more than a decade, New York has been a national leader in the effort to end the HIV epidemic. We have powerful tools — daily and injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), 28-day post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), routine testing, and treatment so effective it makes transmission virtually impossible. People living with HIV who reach an undetectable viral load cannot transmit the virus sexually (Undetectable = Untransmittable, or U=U).
And yet, in 2024, the New York City Department of Health reported 1,791 new HIV diagnoses — a 5.4% increase from 2023, the fourth consecutive year of rising or stable numbers in NYC after years of steady decline. Estimated new infections rose roughly 17% over the same period. Black and Latino New Yorkers continue to bear the heaviest burden: 86% of new diagnoses in 2024 were among Black or Latino/a residents, with 91% of newly diagnosed women being Black or Latina.
The tools to prevent nearly every one of those infections already exist. They are available in Brooklyn and Queens. They are available at AG Urgent Care. The gap is access, awareness, and getting people to the right care quickly. That is what this post is about.
The Three Modern Pillars of HIV Prevention
Modern HIV prevention is no longer “use a condom and hope for the best.” It is a layered strategy. Each tool reduces risk on its own, and combining them effectively eliminates risk for most people.
| Tool | When to Use It | How Effective |
|---|---|---|
| PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) | Before potential exposure — for ongoing protection | Up to 99% effective at preventing HIV from sex when taken as prescribed |
| PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) | After a possible exposure — must start within 72 hours | Highly effective when started within 24–48 hours; effectiveness drops sharply after 72 hours |
| Treatment as Prevention (U=U) | For people living with HIV who are virally suppressed | Zero risk of sexual transmission when viral load is undetectable |
| Routine HIV Testing | At least once for everyone aged 13–64; more often if at higher risk | Catches infection early so treatment can begin and transmission can stop |
| Condoms | During every act of vaginal, anal, or oral sex | Substantially reduces HIV and STI risk; works alongside PrEP |
Sources: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Clinical Guidance for PrEP and PEP; NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute.
PrEP: Daily Pills, an On-Demand Option, and an Injection Every Two Months
PrEP — pre-exposure prophylaxis — is medication taken by HIV-negative people to prevent HIV. When used consistently, it is one of the most effective prevention tools we have, reducing the risk of HIV from sex by approximately 99%.
There are now three FDA-approved PrEP options:
| PrEP Option | How It’s Taken | Who It’s For |
|---|---|---|
| Truvada (TDF/FTC) | One pill, daily | All adults and adolescents at risk of HIV from sex or injection drug use |
| Descovy (TAF/FTC) | One pill, daily | Adults and adolescents at risk of HIV from sex (excluding receptive vaginal sex) |
| Apretude (cabotegravir) | Injection every two months after initial loading doses | Adults and adolescents weighing at least 77 lbs at risk of HIV from sex |
For people who would prefer not to take a daily pill, the long-acting injectable Apretude is a major change in how prevention can fit into someone’s life — six clinic visits a year instead of 365 daily reminders.
Who Should Consider PrEP?
The CDC recommends that healthcare providers discuss PrEP with all sexually active adults and adolescents, and that PrEP be prescribed to anyone who:
- Has had anal or vaginal sex in the past 6 months and has a partner with HIV (especially if their partner is not virally suppressed)
- Has had a recent bacterial STI (gonorrhea, syphilis, or chlamydia in some cases)
- Has not consistently used a condom with partners of unknown HIV status
- Injects drugs and shares equipment with others
- Has used PEP more than once or has been advised to use PEP
Important: PrEP is not just for any one community. The CDC recommends that providers offer it to anyone who asks for it, regardless of their reason. If you are interested, that is enough reason to come in and have the conversation.
Why PrEP Uptake Still Lags Where It’s Needed Most
NYC has seen a 14-fold increase in PrEP use since 2014 — but the people most affected by HIV are still using it the least. Men account for 79% of new HIV diagnoses in NYC but 93% of PrEP users. Women make up 21% of new diagnoses but only 7% of PrEP users. Black and Latino people, young adults under 30, and transgender New Yorkers all access PrEP at far lower rates than their white counterparts, even as their risk has held steady or grown.
Closing those gaps starts with making PrEP a normal, easy conversation at any clinic visit. That is the standard at AG Urgent Care.
PEP: The 72-Hour Window That Changes Everything
PEP — post-exposure prophylaxis — is a 28-day course of HIV medication taken after a possible exposure. It is for emergencies: a condom broke, you were sexually assaulted, you shared injection equipment, you had a needlestick at work, or any other situation where HIV exposure is possible.
The single most important thing to know about PEP is the timing.
PEP must be started within 72 hours of exposure — and ideally within 24 hours.
Effectiveness drops sharply with every hour that passes. After 72 hours, the CDC says PEP is unlikely to prevent HIV infection. If you think you may have been exposed, do not wait until Monday morning. Walk in or call now.
What PEP Looks Like
- Three antiretroviral drugs taken daily for 28 days
- Initial visit includes a baseline HIV test, basic labs, and an STI screen
- Follow-up testing at 4–6 weeks and again at 3 months to confirm HIV-negative status
- Side effects are usually mild and manageable (nausea, fatigue, headaches in some patients)
NYC’s 24/7 PEP Hotline
If you need PEP outside of urgent care or clinic hours, NYC operates a free 24/7 PEP Hotline at 844-3-PEPNYC (844-373-7692). They can help you find the closest emergency department or clinic to start PEP immediately. During business hours, AG Urgent Care can also evaluate you, draw labs, and prescribe PEP same-day.
Treatment as Prevention: U=U
The other transformative shift in HIV prevention is the recognition that people living with HIV who take their medication and reach an undetectable viral load cannot transmit the virus sexually. This is the science behind the U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable) campaign, endorsed by the CDC, the NIH, and HIV organizations worldwide.
That is why early diagnosis and starting treatment quickly matters so much — both for the person living with HIV and for their partners and community. If you have not been tested in a year, this is your reminder.
Paying for PrEP and PEP in NYC
Cost should not be the reason anyone goes without HIV prevention in New York. Multiple programs exist to make sure it isn’t.
| If you have… | Coverage for PrEP/PEP |
|---|---|
| Medicaid | Covers all costs of PrEP and PEP — medication, visits, and labs |
| Medicare | Covers PrEP medications, related counseling, HIV and hepatitis B screening |
| Most private insurance | Required to cover PrEP, related visits, and labs at no cost-sharing |
| No insurance | NYS PrEP-AP covers PrEP-related medical visits and labs; manufacturer assistance programs cover the medication itself |
| Uninsured + low income | NYS ADAP/Uninsured Care Programs cover up to 500% of the Federal Poverty Level — call 1-800-542-2437 |
If you walk into AG Urgent Care to ask about PrEP or PEP, our team will help you understand what your insurance covers and connect you with patient assistance options if needed.
What an HIV Prevention Visit Looks Like at AG Urgent Care
If you are coming in for PrEP, PEP, or HIV testing, here is what to expect:
- Walk in any day of the week. No appointment required. You can also check in online to save time.
- Confidential consultation. A provider will ask about your health history and recent exposures so we can recommend the right path — PrEP, PEP, testing, or all three.
- Same-visit lab work. Baseline HIV test, hepatitis B, kidney function, and an STI panel are typically drawn at the visit.
- PEP started same-day if needed. If you are within the 72-hour window, we can prescribe and start PEP at the visit so you do not lose time waiting for labs.
- Follow-up plan in writing. You leave with a clear schedule of follow-up labs, return visits, and what to watch for.
- HIPAA-protected confidentiality. Your visit and results are private and shared only with you (or the provider you designate).
You can come in to any AG Urgent Care location: Bushwick, Flatbush Junction, Brownsville, Jamaica, or Canarsie.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PrEP only for gay men?
No. PrEP is for anyone who could be exposed to HIV through sex or injection drug use — including women, transgender people, people in mixed-status relationships, and anyone else who wants the protection. The CDC recommends offering PrEP to anyone who asks.
Does PrEP have side effects?
Most people tolerate PrEP very well. Some experience mild nausea, headache, or stomach upset in the first few weeks; these usually resolve. Long-term safety has been studied for over a decade.
If I’m on PrEP, do I still need to use condoms?
PrEP only protects against HIV, not other STIs. Condoms remain important for preventing chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and other infections — and they add additional HIV protection on top of PrEP.
How fast do I have to act for PEP to work?
As fast as you possibly can. PEP must start within 72 hours of exposure, and earlier is dramatically better. If you think you have been exposed in the last three days, walk in to AG Urgent Care or call NYC’s 24/7 PEP Hotline at 844-373-7692.
Can I get tested for HIV at AG Urgent Care without telling anyone?
Yes. HIV testing at AG Urgent Care is fully confidential and HIPAA-protected. Modern 4th-generation HIV tests can detect infection within 2–4 weeks of exposure.
Will starting PrEP show up on my insurance and be visible to my family?
PrEP visits are processed through your insurance like any other medical care, which can show up on an Explanation of Benefits (EOB). If privacy is a concern, our team can talk through options including PrEP-AP, manufacturer programs, or self-pay.
Coming Up in Part 5
In Part 5 — the final post in this series — we will cover Talking to Your Partner About STI Testing & Sexual Health: how to have the conversation, when to bring it up, and how to make routine testing a normal part of any new relationship.
And in case you missed any of the earlier posts:
- Part 1: STI Testing 101 — What to Expect and Why It Matters
- Part 2: The Most Common STIs in Brooklyn & NYC — Symptoms & Treatment
- Part 3: STIs With No Symptoms — Why You Need to Get Tested Even When You Feel Fine
HIV Is Preventable. Get the Tools Working for You.
Whether you want to start PrEP, you need PEP after a possible exposure, or you just want to get tested and know where you stand — AG Urgent Care is here for you, no appointment needed. Walk into any of our Brooklyn or Queens locations, or check in online to reserve your spot.
If you may have been exposed in the last 72 hours, do not wait. Come in today, or call NYC’s 24/7 PEP Hotline at 844-373-7692.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified healthcare provider. PrEP, PEP, and HIV care decisions should be made in consultation with a clinician who knows your full medical history. If you believe you may have been exposed to HIV, seek medical care immediately. In a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.