Preventing HIV after Exposure
If you are exposed to someone else’s bodily fluid, in incidents such as a road accident, physical or sexual assault, needle-prick injury or exposure to blood, it’s important to take action to protect yourself from a status change! With the right treatment, you can prevent becoming HIV-positive (if you are HIV-negative) or getting a super-infection (if you are already HIV-positive).
Prevention with the right treatment is possible after exposure, but time is of the essence!
PEP Medication: 10 Fast Facts
Post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP, is the process of taking antiretroviral medication after potential exposure to HIV, to help prevent infection (or status change). Here are some fast facts on PEP treatment:
- PEP should be used only in the case of an emergency.
- PEP must be started within 72-hours after possible exposure to HIV.
- Research has shown that PEP may not be effective in preventing infection if it is started later than 72-hours after exposure.
- The sooner you start PEP treatment, the better. Every hour counts.
- If you are prescribed PEP, you will need to take the medication once or twice daily for 28-days.
- PEP is safe, but the medication may cause side effects such as nausea in some people.
- PEP is highly effective in preventing HIV infection when administered correctly, but it’s important to remember it may not be 100% effective.
- It is important to get tested for HIV after PEP treatment.
- Testing 4-weeks after PEP will detect 95% of infections.
- Testing 3-months after PEP will detect 99.99% of infections. This testing is considered confirmation that you are HIV-negative.
If you think you may have accidentally been exposed to HIV; visit your healthcare provider, emergency room doctor or contact your 24/7 EWP dedicated number, as soon as possible, for the advice and support you need to start post-exposure treatment.
Sources:
PEP. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/pep.html
PEP Q&A. Retrieved from: http://i-base.info/qa/5255
