If you think you have been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours (three days), you should consider PEP.
You will have to take the medication for a month, but if you start taking it within 72 hours of being at risk, if may prevent you from becoming infected with HIV.
Warning
If it's possible that you have been exposed to HIV by having unprotected sex (vaginal or anal) or sharing injecting equipment, you can access PEP from your local sexual health clinic or A&E department.
You will not need an appointment and they will try to see you as soon as possible, as every hour counts.
PEP can only offer some protection, and it can't be guaranteed that it will prevent you from becoming HIV positive. PEP doesn't protect you from other STIs.
Do I need PEP?
If you may have been exposed to HIV - for example if you have had unprotected vaginal or anal sex, or if you've shared injecting equipment - it's really important that you speak to a doctor, nurse or sexual health worker to get more information.
How can I get PEP?
If it's an evening or a weekend, or you can't go to your nearest sexual health clinic, please go to your nearest Accident & Emergency department. Not all of these departments will be aware of PEP, so it's important to take some information with you. You can print off this page, or show it to a healthcare worker on your mobile device.
PEP is not available from your GP or any pharmacies.
Also, remember to take a look at ways to prevent HIV (LINK TO CONDOMS & LUBE) and get regular HIV tests (LINK TO SERVICE FINDER).
What is PEP?
PEP is a combination of drugs that should prevent HIV infection after a possible HIV exposure, if taken within 72 hours.
Post = after
Exposure = a situation where HIV has a chance to get into someone's body
Prophylaxis = a combination of drugs that can stop infection happening
What is my risk of developing HIV infection?
The most important thing to remember is that HIV can be transmitted even if you have only had sex with an HIV positive person once. However, HIV isn't transmitted every time an HIV positive person and an HIV negative person have sex.
The risk of transmission depends on a number of factors:
- the type of sex you had
- who you have had sex with
- the number of time you've been put at risk
Lots of different things can make it more likely for HIV to be transmitted:
- having another sexually transmitted infection
- bleeding during sex
- the HIV positive person being at the infectious stage of HIV
What do you mean by sexually exposed to HIV?
This is when you've had sex which could cause you to come into contact with HIV. The most likely route of sexual transmission is vaginal or anal sex where a condom wasn't used or a condom broke. You are less likely to transmit HIV through oral sex than unprotected vaginal or anal sex. Another way that HIV can be transmitted is sharing injected equipment.
If you're concerned about this, you should speak to your doctor, nurse or other worker.
Will PEP prevent me from developing HIV infection?
PEP can offer some protection, however it can't be guaranteed that it will stop you from becoming HIV positive
What drugs will I be prescribed?
You will be given a course of anti HIV drugs. They work on different parts of the HIV virus to stop HIV multiplying and to help your immune system to fight off the possible infection.
Where can I get PEP from?
- Sexual health clinics: We recommend that you go to the sexual health clinic during their working hours. You don't need an appointment for this. Every hour counts, so they will try and see you as soon as possible.
- Accident and Emergency department: If it's evening or a weekend, or you can't go to your sexual health clinic, you should go to your nearest A&E. The on call GU Medicine or Infectious Disease Registrar (and consultant if necessary) can be contacted via the hospital switchboard. Not all A&E departments will know about PEP, so you should take some information with you.
- You CANNOT get PEP from your GP or any pharmacies.
How soon after I have been at risk should I start taking PEP, and how long do I have to take it?
PEP should be taken within 72 hours of possible HIV exposure. The sooner you start the more effective it is.
You will need to complete the month long course of treatment unless your doctor advises you not to. Eg if your sexual partner's HIV status is known after HIV testing.
Will I get PEP every time I ask for PEP?
A health professional will see if it is suitable to prescribe you PEP by asking some questions about what you know about your sexual partner's background and the type of sex you had. They will then discuss the recommended course of action with you.
What are the side effects of PEP?
You might experience side effects such as felling sick and/or diarrhoea. If you do have these, medication can be prescribed to minimise those side effects.
Your blood will need to be monitored, because in some cases PEP can affect your kidneys and/or liver.
If you have any concerns about side effects, you can discuss this with your doctor, nurse or sexual health worker.
Are there any drugs that I'm currently taking that will interact with PEP?
Many drugs can interact with PEP. This means that you need to tell the doctor who prescribes PEP about any over the counter prescriptions, alternative medication or recreational drugs that you're currently taking
What tests will I need?
If you take PEP, you'll need some blood tests before you start the course, during treatment and afterwards:
- Blood is taken straight away to check that you are not already HIV positive. Your doctor or nurse might talk to you about testing for other infections at this time.
- Blood taken during the PEP course to check your body's functions and to see if there are any issues.
- Blood taken after the course of PEP to check that HIV infection has not developed.
How can I protect myself and my partners in future?
A condom and water based lubricant, used properly, is the most effective way of preventing HIV transmission during sex. This includes making sure that the condom is on the penis before vaginal or anal sex occurs.
We recommend that you have regular sexual health check-ups as not all sexually transmitted infections have symptoms but they can increase the risk of HIV transmission.