PrEP, Sex, and Hooking Up in the Age of COVID

Recorded on August 18, 2020

Sex is a vitally important part of life for many of us. The COVID-19 pandemic doesn’t stop the interest in connecting with people sexually. Dr. Petroll will share trans-specific information about PrEP (how it might differ in its effectiveness and use for trans folks), as well as how we can practice COVID-19 SAFER sex, including sex with regular partners and hook ups.

PRESENTER: ANDREW PETROLL, MD, MS
Dr. Petroll is an Associate Professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He is an Infectious Disease specialist and also serves as the Medical Director of the Froedtert & MCW Inclusion Health Clinic, an outpatient clinic designed to provide affirming and excellent care to the LGBTQ community.

Introduction 0:00
An introduction to PrEP 2:54
HIV rates in the world, US, and WI 3:24
What is PrEP? 3:58
What medication is used for PrEP? 6:03
How well does PrEP work? 7:54

Who is a good candidate for PrEP? 9:16
What doesn’t PrEP do? 11:49
Does PrEP work for trans folks? 12:17
PrEP side effects 16:29
What’s it like to be on PrEP? 18:20
Barriers to being on PrEP 19:50

Are there studies about intersex folks and PrEP? 21:23
What % of cis men who have sex with cis men have HIV? 22:09
Does estrogen affect Decovy the same way it affects Truvada? 23:23
Can trans men take PrEP? 25:21
Are Descovy and Truvada side effects the same? 27:50
Can you get into Descovy studies if you’re already on it? 28:50
Would an AFAB person who only has anal sex qualify for studies that focus on cis men? 30:54

Are there studies about COVID-19 as an STI? 32:23
Sex during the COVID-19 pandemic 33:28
Review of COVID transmission 33:34
How to make sex safer during COVID 35:36
Lower risk sexual activities 40:03
How long should someone monitor symptoms after exposure? 41:32

How to minimize COVID risk while hooking up? 43:10
Infographics about COVID safety and sex 45:33
How effective are masks during heavy breathing/close proximity? 45:56
What’s the best way to access reliable HIV tests? 48:39
If someone has already had COVID-19, do they have greater immunity? 52:53

ASL, CAPTIONS, AND TRANS/QUEER-LED
Events will have an ASL interpreter and AI-generated closed captioning. Please reach out with any access needs. Support focused groups are trans and queer led.

ABOUT EVENTS
FORGE and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, Inclusion Health Clinic have created a series of events for trans+/non-binary community members, loved ones, and supporters, to come together for support, connection, learning, and empowerment. Participants will have the opportunity to find community, feel less isolated, and learn new skills and information.

Initiated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many topics focus on medical and mental health issues, coping strategies, access to public benefits, links to resources, where/how to access support, creative expression, and some time to have some fun.

Sit back. Or lean in.

If you miss the live events, many will be recorded! (Recordings available at: https://www.youtube.com/c/FORGEForwar…)

THANK YOU TO OUR FUNDERS:
This project is funded by the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Additional funding support for this event provided by Victims of Crime Act Subgrant No. 2015-VO-01-15356 awarded by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Office of Crime Victim Services under a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime.