Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is a medication that is highly effective at preventing HIV infection in emergency situations, when you believe you have recently been exposed to HIV. PEP must be started within 72 hours of the exposure, and the sooner you take it after exposure, the more effective it is. Once you start the medication, you need to continue as prescribed, usually for a period of 28 days.
If you think you’ve recently been exposed to HIV, for example during sex, through sharing needles and/or works to prepare drugs, or if you’ve been sexually assaulted, seek help immediately. You can contact us, or talk to your health care provider or an emergency room doctor and ask to be prescribed PEP right away.
Who is PEP for? PEP is for anyone who may have had a recent exposure to HIV. Possible situations include:
• Unprotected sex with someone who is HIV+ or who's status is unknown to you (ie. no condom used, condom broke, or wasn't used the entire time).
• Sexually assaulted.
• Shared needles and/or works to prepare drugs.
• Needle-stick injury at work from patient known to be HIV+ or at high risk if unknown.
PEP is effective, but not 100%, so if you feel you may be at risk of possible exposure to HIV in the future, there are other effective prevention methods, such as PrEP. Get in touch or come and join us for one of our social events, where we incorporate a fun and relaxed peer support group with interesting risk-reduction discussions.
If you think you’ve recently been exposed to HIV, for example during sex, through sharing needles and/or works to prepare drugs, or if you’ve been sexually assaulted, seek help immediately. You can contact us, or talk to your health care provider or an emergency room doctor and ask to be prescribed PEP right away.
Who is PEP for? PEP is for anyone who may have had a recent exposure to HIV. Possible situations include:
• Unprotected sex with someone who is HIV+ or who's status is unknown to you (ie. no condom used, condom broke, or wasn't used the entire time).
• Sexually assaulted.
• Shared needles and/or works to prepare drugs.
• Needle-stick injury at work from patient known to be HIV+ or at high risk if unknown.
PEP is effective, but not 100%, so if you feel you may be at risk of possible exposure to HIV in the future, there are other effective prevention methods, such as PrEP. Get in touch or come and join us for one of our social events, where we incorporate a fun and relaxed peer support group with interesting risk-reduction discussions.
