Post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP, is another name for emergency HIV treatment. It is a short course of antiretroviral drugs that can help prevent HIV from becoming a life-long infection if taken shortly after exposure to HIV. PEP is not a cure for HIV. It is a form of HIV prevention.
PEP must be started within 72 hours after possible exposure to HIV, but the sooner you start PEP, the better. Every hour counts. If you’re prescribed PEP, you’ll need to take it once or twice daily for 28 days. PEP is effective in preventing HIV when administered correctly, but it is not always 100% effective.
If you’re HIV-negative or don’t know your HIV status and in the last 72 hours you:
- Think you may have been exposed to HIV during sex (for example, the condom broke)
- Shared needles and works to prepare drugs (for example, cotton, cookers, water)
- Were sexually assaulted
Talk to your health care provider or an emergency room doctor about PEP right away.
For more information about PEP, check out this PEP 101 Factsheet(PDF, 107KB) .
PEP is effective, but is not always 100% effective. You should continue to use condoms with sex partners and safe injection practices while taking PEP. These strategies can protect you from being exposed to HIV again and reduce the chances of transmitting HIV to others if you do become infected while you’re on PEP.
Looking to get PEP in Pittsburgh? Visit www.preppgh.com.