Ep 166 – PEP Talk

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Time for a pep talk, well, a PEP talk that is. We are joined by queer content creator Odus Moore to share a little about self advocating in healthcare settings as an LGBTIQ+ person. Recently, Odus needed to access PEP – medication to prevent HIV after a recent exposure – and was met with some perceived queer phobia and didn’t walk away with the medication they needed.

PEP can be taken to prevent HIV after a recent exposure – but needs to be taken within 72 hours. And, the earlier the better.

Odus shares what happened when they visited a public hospital and had a negative experience, which they turned into a training and capacity building experience for clinicians at the hospital – but not before being bullied and gaslit online!

Plus, we chat about mpox and preventing it by getting vaccinated!

Here’s some stuff we mentioned this week…

PEP information

GetPEP.info

https://what-works.org/pep/

https://endinghiv.org.au/stay-safe/pep/

PEP Guidelines, for clinicians: https://ashm.org.au/resources/australian-pep-guidelines/

If you are diagnosed with HIV, you can connect with your local state based HIV organization

Training and capacity building

https://rainbowhealthaustralia.org.au/training-programs

Pride in Diversity: https://www.prideinclusionprograms.com.au/about-pid/

Training and Professional Development from Queerspace at Drummond Street https://www.queerspace.org.au/training-education/

MPOX

What is MPox? https://emen8.com.au/health/sexual-health/get-your-monkeypox-shot-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-monkeypox-vaccine/

New Mpox cases: https://www.starobserver.com.au/news/new-mpox-cases-vic/230357

Where to go:
Melbourne Sexual Health Centre

• Thorne Harbour Health
• Northside Clinic
• Collins Street Medical Centre
• Prahran Market Clinic

No Medicare? https://oshcaustralia.com.au/

Some pharmacies that operate late or 24 hours. Call ahead or double check as some of these may have changed!

https://13sick.com.au/late-night-pharmacies/melbourne-extended-hours-pharmacies/

And
https://doctordoctor.com.au/patient-advice/24-hour-pharmacies/

This episode was recorded on the lands of the Yalukut Weelam clan of the Boon Wurrung peoples. We pay our respects to their elders, past, present and emerging, and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded.

Find other JOY podcasts at joy.org.au