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By the end of the year, most Florida Department of Health offices will offer a drug that if taken preventatively, can reduce the risk of contracting HIV. Kent Donahue with the health department says Orange County will be one of the first to offer Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, or PrEP, for free to patients who qualify.

“In 2016, Orange County had 458 new cases of HIV. That’s an increase from the previous year. If you’re sexually active, PrEP might be an option for you.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says PrEP can reduce the risk of HIV infection by 92 percent.

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