With the click of a button, you can take the first step toward protecting yourself from HIV. Your PrEP journey starts with the red “Request an appointment” button on the Allies for Health + Wellbeing website, AlliesPGH.org. You can also give us a call at 412-345-7456.
You’ll fill out a short form or answer a few questions from our friendly front desk staff, and we’ll get you scheduled for a visit to Allies as soon as we can.
When it’s time for your first PrEP appointment, you’ll come to our office at 211 Tower, 211 N. Whitfield St., in East Liberty. Bring a photo ID, your insurance card if applicable, and a list of your current medications. Our front desk staff will get you checked in, and you can relax in our comfortable waiting room until you’re called back.
One of our medical assistants will take you back to our clinic. They will go over your medical history and take your vitals, like your temperature and your blood pressure.
Next, you’ll see one of our providers, who will explain what PrEP is, how it works, and the process for PrEP after your initial visit.
“Currently, there’s multiple types of PrEP, oral and injectable,” said Jacque DeRubbo, senior director of clinical services at Allies. “You can talk with your provider to see what best suits your needs. You’ll have that time to spend with the provider for any questions you might have, what it’s going to look like down the road.”
Once you and your provider have decided which version of PrEP will work for you, your provider will explain when you’ll need to return for STI testing and follow-ups. Most Allies PrEP patients come in quarterly for testing.
During your initial PrEP visit, you also will get an STI workup.
“You’ll get bloodwork, we’ll do swabs, urine – and that will all be sent to the lab,” DeRubbo said. “If there’s anything that would show up in the labs where we’d have to change our plan of care, we’d have them come back and speak to one of our providers.”
You will have your prescription for PrEP at the end of the visit, which you can get filled just across the hall at Allies Pharmacy. Allies provides a 90-day prescription so you won’t need to get refills before your next appointment.
Before you leave, you’ll stop at the front desk to schedule your next appointment.
The whole appointment takes about half an hour.
“You’re in, you’re out and can get everything done here at once,” DeRubbo said.
If you’ve been considering starting PrEP, don’t wait any longer. Head to AlliesPGH.org or call 412-345-7456 and begin your PrEP journey with Allies today!