PEP stands for Post Exposure Prophylaxis.<\/p>\n
This is the term for using HIV drugs after a potential exposure to reduce the risk of HIV infection.<\/p>\n
This usually involves taking a combination of three drugs for four weeks. PEP needs to be taken as soon after exposure as possible. This is preferably within two hours even though some guidelines include a cut-off of 48 hours. \u00a0The longer the delay the less the chance that PEP will work.<\/p>\n
Before being given PEP you will be tested for HIV.<\/p>\n
This is usually a rapid test which gives the result within 30 minutes. This test only tells you whether you were HIV positive three months ago, not from this recent risk.<\/p>\n
If you are HIV-positive without knowing it, a short-course of treatment could lead to drug resistance. You can access PEP at any accident and emergency (A&E) department of a hospital 24 hours a day.<\/p>\n
You can also access PEP from a GUM clinic during working hours. After a course of PEP you need to wait 28 days before testing for HIV. this is because PEP can delay infection.<\/p>\n