Medical & Educational Disclaimer

1. Not Medical Advice

The HARNESS Project provides educational information only and is NOT a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

1.1 Always Consult Healthcare Professionals

You should always:

• Consult your doctor before starting PrEP, PEP, or any medication
• Seek medical attention for health concerns or symptoms
• Get tested at a clinic or with a healthcare provider
• Discuss your specific situation with qualified professionals
• Follow your doctor's advice over any information on our site

1.2 Never Disregard Professional Medical Advice

Do not delay seeking professional medical advice because of something you read on The HARNESS Project. If you have a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

2. Educational Content Only

Our content is designed to:

• Educate about safER sex practices and harm reduction
• Provide general information about HIV/STI prevention
• Offer tools and resources for educators and learners
• Promote sex-positive, shame-free education

Our content is NOT:

• A replacement for comprehensive sex education from professionals
• Personalized medical or health advice
• A diagnostic tool for health conditions
• Legal advice regarding sexual health laws

3. No Doctor-Patient Relationship

Using The HARNESS Project does not create a doctor-patient, therapist-client, or any other professional healthcare relationship.

We are educators and content creators, not:

• Licensed physicians
• Licensed therapists or counselors
• Medical practitioners
• Healthcare providers

4. Accuracy and Currency of Information

4.1 We Strive for Accuracy

We make every effort to provide accurate, evidence-based information sourced from:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• Peer-reviewed medical research
• Reputable sexual health organizations

4.2 Information May Change

4.3 No Guarantee of Accuracy

While we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee that all information is:

• Complete or comprehensive
• Up-to-date with the latest research
• Applicable to your specific situation
• Free from errors or omissions

5. Harm Reduction Philosophy

The HARNESS Project embraces a harm reduction approach to sexual health education. This means:

5.1 What Harm Reduction Means

• Meeting people where they are - No judgment, no shame
• Realistic strategies - Acknowledging that people make choices
• Risk reduction, not elimination - SafER, not perfectly safe
• Practical information - What actually works in real life

5.2 What Harm Reduction Is NOT

Harm reduction does not mean:

• Encouraging unsafe behavior
• Condoning illegal activities
• Replacing safer alternatives
• Guaranteeing safety

6. No Guarantees or Warranties

6.1 Effectiveness

We provide information about prevention methods and tools, but we cannot guarantee:

• That any method will be 100% effective for you
• That following our information will prevent HIV/STIs
• Specific health outcomes

6.2 Individual Results Vary

Every person's situation is different. Factors that affect outcomes include:

• Individual health conditions
• Correct and consistent use of prevention methods
• Partner status and behaviors
• Access to healthcare and resources

7. Third-Party Information

We may link to or reference third-party resources, websites, and organizations. We are not responsible for:

• The accuracy of third-party information
• The practices or policies of external sites
• Products or services offered by others
• Changes to external content after we link to it

8. Specific Health Situations

8.1 PrEP and PEP

Information about PrEP and PEP is educational. You MUST:

• Consult a healthcare provider before starting PrEP or PEP
• Get proper medical evaluation and testing
• Follow your doctor's prescribed regimen
• Attend regular monitoring appointments

8.2 Testing and Diagnosis

We provide information about HIV/STI testing, but:

• We do not provide testing services
• We cannot interpret test results
• You must get tested at a clinic or with a healthcare provider
• Only medical professionals can diagnose health conditions

8.3 Medications and Treatments

Information about medications is for educational purposes:

• Do not start, stop, or change medications without doctor approval
• Always discuss side effects with your healthcare provider
• Follow prescription instructions exactly as directed
• Report any adverse reactions to your doctor immediately

9. Mental Health and Crisis Resources

9.1 Not Mental Health Services

While we provide educational content about sexual health and relationships, we do not offer:

• Mental health counseling
• Therapy services
• Crisis intervention
• Suicide prevention services

9.2 If You Need Help

10. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, The HARNESS Project and Christopher Zacharie are not liable for:

• Any health outcomes or medical conditions
• Decisions made based on information from our Services
• Actions taken or not taken based on our content
• Reliance on information without consulting healthcare professionals
• Any damages arising from use of our Services

11. Age-Appropriate Content

Our content is designed for:

• Adults 18+ - Primary audience
• Educators & Parents - For teaching purposes
• Mature teens (with permission) - In educational settings with adult supervision

Parents, guardians, and educators should review content before sharing with minors.

12. For Educators

If you are an educator using our materials:

• Review content for appropriateness for your audience
• Supplement with local health resources and laws
• Encourage students to consult healthcare professionals
• Adapt content to meet your educational standards
• Follow your institution's policies and guidelines

13. Questions or Concerns

If you have questions about this disclaimer or our content, please contact us: