Post Exposer Prophylaxis
PEP,
or post-exposure prophylaxis is a short course of HIV medicines taken very
soon after a possible exposure to HIV to prevent the virus from taking hold in
your body. You must start it within 72 hours after you were exposed to HIV, or
it won't work
Who
can use PEP?
PEP
is for the people who may have been exposed to HIV in the last 3 days- 72
hours. PEP might be right for you if:
- You had sex with someone who
may have HIV and didn’t use a condom, or the condom broke.
- You were assaulted.
- You shared needles or works
(like cotton, cookers, or water) with someone who may have HIV
If
you were exposed to HIV in the last 3 days and want PEP, see a nurse or doctor
or go to the emergency room immediately. Timing is really important. You must
start PEP as soon as you can after being exposed to HIV for it to work
PEP
is for emergencies. It can’t take the place of proven, ongoing ways to prevent
HIV — like using condoms, taking PrEP (a daily pill that lowers your chances of
getting HIV), and not sharing needles or works. If you know you may be exposed
to HIV often (like if you have a partner or partners who may be HIV-positive),
talk to your nurse or doctor about PrEP
If
you are a health care worker and think you may have been exposed to HIV at
work, go to your doctor or the emergency room right away. Then report the
incident to your supervisor. HIV transmission in health care settings is
extremely rare, and there are procedures and safety devices that can lower your
chances of coming into contact with HIV while caring for patients...Read More
How
do I get PEP?
You
can get PEP from Dr Raina’s Safe hands, You can start PEP up to 72 hours (3
days) after you were exposed to HIV, but don’t wait it’s really important to
start PEP as soon as possible. Every hour counts
Before you get PEP, the nurse or doctor will talk
with you about what happened, to decide whether PEP is right for you. They will
give you a blood test for HIV (if you already have HIV, you won’t be able to
use PEP). You will also be tested for Hepatitis B. And if you were exposed to
HIV through sex, you will get tests for other STDs like gonorrhoea, chlamydia,
and syphilis...Read More
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