Prevention is a key pillar in the state of Oregon’s work to end new HIV infections. There are many tools available and proactive steps you can take to protect yourself and your sex partners from HIV and other STI. That includes getting tested and into treatment before potentially passing an infection to a sex partner.
Using condoms, lube, and dental dams during sex can help prevent HIV and other STI, like syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. Many local public health authorities across Oregon have free condoms available.
Find your local health authority
If you have trouble getting condoms, you can order free condoms and lube mailed to your door once a month.
Free condoms & lube
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a medicine that prevents someone from getting HIV. PrEP can be taken as a daily pill or an injection you get every other month. Because PrEP is widely recognized as a safe and effective way to prevent HIV, the Oregon Health Plan and other insurance companies cover it!
PEP is medicine that someone can take after being exposed to HIV. PEP must be started quickly after a possible exposure – within 72 hours.
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PEP is medicine that someone can take after being exposed to HIV. PEP must be started quickly after a possible exposure – within 72 hours. The Oregon Health Plan and other insurance companies cover PEP, and there are resources available to help pay for PEP if you are uninsured.
Get PEP helpPhoto credit: damiorphotography.com
Sharing works (injection equipment) puts people at high risk of getting and spreading HIV and hepatitis C. Safer injecting is a harm reduction technique for people who inject drugs that reduces the risk of HIV, hepatitis C, and other infections as well as reducing the risk of overdose. These practices include using sterile syringes and avoiding sharing or re-using any injection equipment.
Oregon has free syringe exchange programs throughout the state that offer services and supplies including:
There are multiple online resources for finding syringe exchanges and other harm reduction services near you, including NASEN and 211. Rose City Resource provides information for Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington counties only. You can also reach out to your local public health authority for more information about syringe exchange and overdose prevention services in your area.
NASEN
211
Rose City Resource