HIV is no longer "untreatable" in 2025!!

Here’s a clear, up-to-date (2025) English summary of everything you need to know about HIV itself, PEP, and PrEP – all in one place.

1. HIV Basics in 2025

Topic

Current Facts

What is HIV?

A virus that attacks CD4 immune cells. Without treatment → AIDS in ~8–10 years.

Is HIV curable?

Not yet curable, but 100% treatable. One pill a day → normal lifespan + cannot transmit.

U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable)

If someone with HIV takes medicine and viral load <200 copies/mL for ≥6 months → zero risk of sexual transmission. Officially recognised by WHO/CDC since 2016.

Transmission routes

Only four body fluids can transmit: blood, semen (incl. pre-cum), vaginal/rectal fluids, breast milk. No transmission through kissing, saliva, sweat, mosquito, toilet seat, etc.

Global/Taiwan numbers 2025

~39 million people living with HIV worldwide. Taiwan: ~45,000 diagnosed, new cases ~1,500/year (90%+ MSM).

 

 2. PEP vs PrEP – Side-by-Side Comparison (2025)

PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis)

PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis)

When you take it

AFTER a possible exposure

BEFORE and during periods of risk

Time window

Must start ≤72 hours (best ≤2 hours)

Ongoing (daily or on-demand)

Duration

Exactly 28 days

As long as you are at risk (months to lifelong)

Effectiveness

Reduces risk by >80% (real-world ~90% if taken perfectly)

Daily: >99% On-demand (2-1-1): ~99% anal, ~95% vaginal

Drugs (2025)

Usually TDF/FTC (or TAF/FTC) + Dolutegravir or Raltegravir (1–2 pills/day)

Daily: Truvada, Descovy, or generic On-demand: only Truvada/generic Injectable: Apretude (every 2 months)

Cost in Taiwan

Self-pay: NT$12,000–20,000 Sexual assault/needlestick: free

Public program (free for high-risk Taiwanese citizens) Self-pay generic: NT$800–1,500/month

How often to test

Baseline + week 6 + week 12 (sometimes month 6)

Every 3 months (HIV, kidney, STI screen)

Side effects

Nausea, fatigue, diarrhea (first 1–2 weeks, then better)

Mild start-up symptoms in 10–20%; long-term kidney/bone effects very rare with Descovy

 

 3. Current PrEP Options Worldwide & in Taiwan (2025)

Type

Name

Dosing

Taiwan availability & price (2025)

Daily oral

Truvada & generics

1 pill daily

Generic ~NT$800–1,500/month (online)

Daily oral (newer)

Descovy

1 pill daily

Hospital self-pay ~NT$8,000–9,000/month

On-demand (2-1-1)

Only Truvada & generics

2 pills 2–24 h before sex → 1 pill daily after until 2 days after last sex

Same price as daily generics

Long-acting injectable

Apretude (cabotegravir)

1 injection every 2 months

Approved in Taiwan; self-pay ~NT$30–40k per shot

Future (in trials)

Lenacapavir (6-month shot)

1 shot every 6 months (99.9% effective in trials)

Not yet approved anywhere (expected 2026+)

 

 4. Quick Decision Tree – What Should You Do Right Now?

Situation

Action

Just had unprotected sex or condom broke <72 h ago

→ Go to ER NOW for PEP (24-hour hospitals in Taiwan)

You often have condomless anal sex, multiple partners, chemsex

→ Start daily or on-demand PrEP (public program or generic)

Your partner is HIV+ but undetectable (U=U)

→ No PrEP/PEP needed for sex; U=U is 100% safe

You only have risky sex once every few months

→ On-demand 2-1-1 PrEP (cheaper and just as effective for anal sex)

You hate pills

→ Consider Apretude injectable (every 2 months) or wait for 6-month shot

 

 5. Where to Get Help in Taiwan (English-friendly places)

- Taiwan CDC HIV hotline (24 h): 0800-885-885 (they speak English)

- Taipei City Hospital Kunming Prevention Center (PrEP clinic, English OK)

- NTU Hospital Infectious Disease Department

- Many “anonymous testing clinics” (匿名篩檢門診) also provide PrEP

Feel free to tell me:

- Which city you are in

- Whether you qualify for free public PrEP

- If you just had a possible exposure right now

I can guide you step-by-step in English or Chinese. You’re not alone!

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