Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) - PEP refers to the use of antiretroviral drugs for people who are HIV-negative after a single high-risk exposure to stop HIV infection. PEP must be started as soon as possible to be effective – always within 72 hours of a possible exposure – and continued for 4 weeks. What is PEP? PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) means taking medicine to prevent HIV after a possible exposure. PEP Must Be Started Within 72 Hours of Possible Exposure to HIV Talk right away (within 72 hours) to your health care provider, an emergency room doctor, or an urgent care provider about PEP if you think you’ve recently been exposed to HIV: During sex (for example, if the condom broke),Through sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment to inject drugs (for example,…