The party will come, for sure. The lockdown puts us all under pressure. Imagine the joy once we get our freedom back !
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO BE READY FOR THAT ?
At Exaequo, we invite you to anticipate the risks you might take after this long and difficult moment is over. Click on the different sections that might interest you below.
Our team is available to answer your questions with confidentiality and without judgement : 02 736 28 61 / info@exaequo.be.
You can also ask your questions anonymously on our forum.
- IF YOU HAPPEN TO TAKE RISKS, LET'S TALK ABOUT IT !
You can call us at 02 736 28 61 to talk anonymously about your sexuality and consider different strategies to reduce the risks you're taking. PrEP and a testing more regularly for HIV and STDs, for example.
> You can also ask your questions anonymously on our forum !
- GET FREE CONDOMS ON EXAEQUO' SHOP
144 condoms for 4.70 EUR. Up to 12, they're for free !
Order condoms on Exaequo's Shop. We even have two sizes : standards and XL.
We will send them to your place in a neutral enveloppe.
> Visit Exaequo'Shop !
- IF YOU HAVE SEX WITHOUT CONDOM AND PREP DURING THE LOCKDOWN
We highly recommend you to get tested at least a month after the last time you had unprotected sex. Meanwhile, use condoms to protect your partners.
> Here you can find out where to get tested or you can get an appointment directly with Exaequo calling at 02 736 82 61.
This also true if you were on PrEP before and you had an intercourse without PrEP or condom (during or before the lockdown).
Having an HIV test before you go on PrEP again will protect your partners if you were ever exposed to HIV while on break.
> To safely start PrEP again, you will have to take a new appointment with your usual PrEP Center.
- IF YOU ARE TAKING PREP, THE LOCKDOWN IS A GOOD MOMENT TO HAVE A BREAK
Unless you are still having sexual encounters, of course.
When you start having sexual encounters again, you should then take two pills at least two hours before the first intercourse and then go back to your usual pattern :
- On a daily basis: a pill everyday at the same time
- On demand : don't forget to take a pill at the same time, 24h after the first two pills and then 48h afterwards and keep on going with that pattern until you stop having sexual encounters.
For transgender people, it is recommended to wait seven days (seven pills) to make sure PrEP is effective.
> If you have any questions, you can call us at 02 736 28 63.
- IF YOU THINK YOU MIGHT HAVE MANY SEXUAL ENCOUTERS ONCE THE LOCKDOWN IS OVER
Follow Safer sex rules !
- Always use a condom while having anal sex or make sure you are correctly following your PrEP treatment
- Use water-based lubricants (other based lubricants might damage the condom)
- Do not take sperm in your mouth if your are not under PrEP.
> PrEP, Treatment as Prevention, PEP... prevention has changed. Take a look at what's new !
If the condom breaks or if you have unprotected anal sex (without PrEP and condom), go to an emergency unit as quickly as possible and within 72 hours maximum and ask for PEP (Post-Exposition Profilaxis).
> Find out about PEP !
If you already are on PrEP, it may be a good idea to start taking PrEP everyday. If you decide to do so, make sure you have enough pills to last for a month at least. You can always go back to PrEP on demand afterwards if it suits you best.
> Find out about PrEP or call us at 02 736 28 61
- OR QUITE THE CONTRARY, FEW ENCOUNTERS...
One, two, ten or... partners ! Safer sex rules are the same for all of us !
- Always use a condom while having anal sex or make sure you are correctly following your PrEP treatment
- Use water-based lubricants (other based lubricants might damage the condom)
- Do not take sperm in your mouth if your are not under PrEP.
> Did you know that an HIV positive person whose viral load is undetectable does not transmit the virus ? Did you know that there are treatments to prevent from an HIV infection before or after having unprotected sex ? Find out more !
If the condom breaks or if you have unprotected anal sex (without PrEP and condom), go to an emergency unit as quickly as possible and within 72 hours maximum and ask for PEP (Post-Exposition Profilaxis).
> Find out about PEP !
If you are used to take PrEP on demand, keep it that way : two pills at least two hours before a sexual encounter, one pill the day after and the another one the following day at the same time (i.e. 2+1+1 = 4 pills in total).
- IF YOU ARE TAKING DRUGS WHEN HAVING SEX
Take advantage of your free time to get to know more about chemsex on our site or on FridayMonday.
> Find out more on chemsex and COVID-19 !
If you are taking PrEP, we recommend you keep on taking your pills on a daily basis in case you don't manage to stop practicing chemsex.
> Order free harm reduction material on Exaequo'shop !
- WHY NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE LOCKDOWN TO MAKE A HIV SELF-TEST
Exaequo will send an HIV self-test for free directly to your address. We can call you before, while and after making the test if you tell us so.
> Order it now ! Then call us at 02 736 28 61 or write us at info@exaequo.be
For now, stay at home ! Don't have sex with people you don't live with. The party will come. We promise ! :)
