What is HIV post-exposure prevention (PEP)?
HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is treatment with medicine. If you've had contact with HIV, this treatment can help prevent the virus from taking hold and spreading in your body. PEP is only for people who've been exposed but aren't yet infected. It must be started no later than 3 days after exposure.
How is HIV post-exposure prevention (PEP) given?
Your doctor will start you on PEP.
- Start PEP as soon as possible.
Every hour counts. It must be started within 3 days (72 hours) after you were exposed to HIV.
- Take your medicines exactly as prescribed.
PEP treatment lasts 28 days.
- Follow up with your doctor.
You'll need an HIV test at the start and at the end of treatment.
- Talk to your doctor about other tests.
The doctor might recommend things like testing you for hepatitis or other infections. And you may get a pregnancy test.
- Ask your doctor about PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis).
If you're sometimes at risk of being infected with HIV, talk to your doctor about taking medicines that may lower your risk.
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