HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is an emergency antiretroviral treatment designed for individuals who might have been exposed to HIV, particularly following sexual contact. This treatment needs to be initiated within 72 hours post-exposure to effectively diminish the likelihood of HIV infection.
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If you are exposed accidentally to unknown sexual partner, you must take this medication immediately within 72 hours
You don't need to be certain that HIV transmission occurred. If there was a possibility — and it happened in the last 72 hours — you should start PEP now and ask questions later. Here are the situations that qualify. If you recognise yourself in any of these, please don't wait.
You had sexual contact — vaginal, anal, or oral — without a condom, and you don't know your partner's HIV status. This is one of the most common reasons people seek PEP. You are right to take it seriously.
You used protection but it failed. A broken or slipped condom can expose you to the same risk as unprotected sex. If this happened with a partner whose HIV status you don't know, PEP is recommended.
If you have experienced sexual assault, PEP should be started immediately as part of your emergency care. You do not need to know the assailant's HIV status. Our doctors will treat you with complete confidentiality and without judgment.
Healthcare workers, or anyone who has shared needles or sustained a needlestick injury from an unknown source, should start PEP. This is a recognised occupational health risk and PEP is the standard clinical response.
Blood contact through a cut, open wound, or mucous membrane — for example, blood splashed into an eye — from a person of unknown HIV status warrants a PEP assessment.
If you're unsure — if the situation is ambiguous or you can't clearly recall what happened — come in anyway. Our doctors will assess your situation calmly and help you decide whether PEP is the right step. There is no judgment, only care.
PEP is safe to take even if it turns out the exposure was lower-risk than you thought. The cost of taking PEP unnecessarily is manageable. The cost of not taking PEP when you needed it is not. Our doctors are available right now to guide you — no appointment needed, no judgment.
If you believe you’ve been exposed to HIV, HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) should be considered in the following situations:
HIV PEP is considered a secure approach to prevent HIV infection following exposure.
While undergoing HIV PEP treatment, you are recommended to adhere to a regimen of taking your medication either once or twice daily over a period of one month. It’s important to understand that being on this treatment does not shield you from new HIV exposure; hence, it is crucial to consistently use protective measures during sexual activities.
To get ready for HIV PEP, individuals should first have a baseline HIV test performed. Additionally, blood tests are necessary to evaluate liver and kidney functions and to identify any pre-existing health conditions. These steps are crucial to ensure the safe and effective use of HIV PEP.
No, you cannot get PEP at the pharmacy. Instead, you can get PEP from selected clinics during operating hours. For emergency assistance outside working hours, please visit Dr Prevents as we are available 24/7.
Unfortunately, PEP does not work to prevent HIV after 72 hours have passed since being exposed to the virus. This is because the HIV virus may have possibly taken hold in your body after the 72 hours time frame, making PEP treatment ineffective
When taken correctly, PEP works by stopping the HIV virus from multiplying in your body. The cells that were initially infected with HIV slowly die off which helps to prevent a full-blown HIV infection
