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VirtualMD Services
HIV Prevention (PrEP & PEP)
Private, physician-led HIV prevention. PrEP, PEP, and ongoing sexual health monitoring. 100% Virtual — WA State.
HIV prevention should be straightforward, private, and medically supervised. Dr. Patel provides individualized PrEP and PEP care through VirtualMD, combining confidential virtual consultations with the laboratory testing and ongoing monitoring needed to use these medications safely. Whether you are considering PrEP for the first time, already taking PrEP, or need urgent evaluation after a potential HIV exposure, VirtualMD gives you a physician-led pathway without requiring every step to happen inside a traditional clinic.
- Board Certified — Internal Medicine, Inpatient Hospitalist Medicine
- Licensed in Washington State
- 100% virtual care
- Conditions
- 9
- Tracked
- 6
The VirtualMD method
How we work together
PrEP is medication taken by people who do not have HIV to reduce their risk of acquiring HIV. PEP is different: it is an urgent prevention strategy used after a potential HIV exposure and needs to be started as soon as possible. PEP is time-sensitive — do not wait for a routine appointment if you believe you have had a recent exposure.
- 01
Private Prevention Assessment
You complete a confidential health history covering your prevention goals, sexual health, medications, allergies, kidney health, and relevant exposure history.
- 02
Baseline Testing
When clinically appropriate, Dr. Patel orders the required HIV testing and other laboratory studies through a local Washington laboratory near you.
- 03
Dedicated Virtual Consultation
You meet privately with Dr. Patel to review your health history, discuss your HIV prevention options, and determine whether PrEP or another prevention strategy is appropriate.
- 04
Prescription & Prevention Plan
When clinically appropriate, your prescription is sent to your local or mail-order pharmacy, along with a clear plan for follow-up testing and monitoring.
- 05
Ongoing Safety Monitoring
Follow-up laboratory testing may include HIV testing, kidney function, STI screening, hepatitis testing, and pregnancy testing when clinically relevant.
- 06
Continuous Prevention Care
Your results are reviewed over time, prescriptions are renewed when appropriate, and your prevention plan is adjusted as your health, medications, or circumstances change.
Prevention Shouldn’t Require Guesswork
HIV prevention is highly effective when it is approached thoughtfully and consistently. My role is to make sure you understand your options, receive the appropriate testing, and have a physician monitoring your care — not simply sending a prescription and disappearing.
— Dr. Patel, ABIM Board-Certified Physician
What we can help with
Conditions Dr. Patel manages
HIV Prevention (PrEP & PEP) —
9 conditions
PrEP — Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
- 01Initial PrEP consultation
- 02PrEP initiation
- 03Continuation and prescription management
- 04Routine HIV testing
- 05Kidney function monitoring
- 06STI screening
- 07Hepatitis testing
- 08Pregnancy testing when clinically relevant
- 09Ongoing prevention counseling
What to expect
What your care may involve
Dr. Patel coordinates appropriate laboratory testing through local Washington diagnostic facilities. PrEP and PEP are not simply prescriptions — safe prevention requires appropriate testing, medication review, follow-up, and monitoring.
What may be ordered —
6 options
HIV & Sexual Health Testing
- 01HIV Testing: Appropriate HIV testing before starting PrEP and at recommended intervals during ongoing PrEP care.
- 02Kidney Function: Creatinine and estimated kidney function monitoring when required for the medication being used.
- 03STI Screening: Appropriate testing based on your individual risk and exposure history.
- 04Hepatitis Testing: Hepatitis B and C testing when clinically indicated.
- 05Pregnancy Testing: When clinically relevant to medication selection and safety.
- 06Additional Testing: Other laboratory studies when your medical history or medication regimen makes them appropriate.
PEP is time-sensitive
PEP works best when started as soon as possible after a potential HIV exposure. If you believe you may have been exposed recently, do not wait for a routine appointment. Contact VirtualMD promptly or seek immediate in-person medical care if virtual evaluation cannot safely meet your needs.
Care that connects the dots.
Your labs, your symptoms and your history read together by one physician who knows all three — not three results filed separately.
Honest fit
Is VirtualMD the right fit for you?
Who this is for
- Washington residents interested in physician-guided HIV prevention.
- Patients considering starting PrEP for the first time.
- Patients already taking PrEP who need ongoing monitoring and prescription management.
- Patients seeking evaluation after a potential HIV exposure.
- Patients who value confidential, convenient virtual sexual-health care with physician oversight.
What needs an in-person visit
- Infectious-disease, emergency, gynecologic, or other specialty services
- An infection requiring examination or a procedure
- Care that falls outside the scope of virtual Internal Medicine management
VirtualMD is not an emergency service. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, severe illness, significant injury, or another condition requiring immediate physical evaluation, call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Room.
Specialist Coordination
Some patients may require infectious-disease, emergency, gynecologic, or other specialty services. When care falls outside the scope of virtual Internal Medicine management, Dr. Patel coordinates the appropriate in-person evaluation and specialty care.
What is PrEP and who should consider it?
PrEP is medication used by people who do not have HIV to reduce their risk of acquiring HIV. It may be appropriate for people whose sexual or other exposure circumstances place them at increased risk. Dr. Patel reviews your individual health history, medications, and prevention goals to determine whether PrEP is appropriate for you.
Can I start PrEP entirely through VirtualMD?
For appropriate patients, much of the PrEP process can be completed virtually. Dr. Patel conducts your consultation and sends required laboratory orders to a local Washington testing facility. Once the appropriate testing is completed and reviewed, medication can be prescribed when clinically appropriate, followed by ongoing monitoring.
What if I think I was recently exposed to HIV?
PEP is specifically designed for potential exposure that has already happened, and timing matters. Contact VirtualMD as soon as possible for evaluation. Dr. Patel will determine whether PEP is appropriate and whether it can safely be initiated through virtual care or whether you need immediate in-person treatment.
What laboratory tests are required while taking PrEP?
Monitoring depends on the medication and your individual circumstances. It may include HIV testing, kidney function, STI screening, hepatitis testing, and pregnancy testing when clinically relevant. Dr. Patel orders the appropriate tests and reviews the results as part of your ongoing care.
Can VirtualMD help with STI testing and prevention too?
Yes. STI screening and prevention counseling can be part of your overall HIV-prevention care. Dr. Patel can order appropriate testing based on your individual risk factors and symptoms. If an infection requires examination, a procedure, or care outside the scope of virtual Internal Medicine, he will coordinate the appropriate in-person evaluation.
Do I need to stay on PrEP indefinitely?
Not necessarily. Your prevention needs can change over time. Dr. Patel can discuss whether continuing PrEP remains appropriate based on your current circumstances, health history, and prevention goals. If you decide to stop or change your medication, he will help you do so safely and determine what follow-up testing or prevention planning is appropriate.
Become a patient
Take Control of Your HIV Prevention.
Private, physician-led PrEP and PEP care with the testing, monitoring, and follow-up needed to make prevention work.