Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

You may have recently been sexually exposed to HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). The aim of this webpage is to answer some of the questions that you may have at this moment.

Q. What do you mean by sexually exposed to HIV?

A. When we say sexually exposed to HIV we mean that you have had sex that could cause you to come into contact with HIV. This could be vaginal sex, anal sex, oral sex or all three were a condom wasn’t used or a condom broke. There are other ways that HIV can be transmitted such as sharing injecting equipment, if you are concerned about these you should speak to your doctor, nurse or the worker that gave you this leaflet.

Q. What is my risk of developing HIV infection?

A. The most important thing to remember is that at least one person that you had sex with needs to have been HIV positive for HIV to be transmitted. HIV is not transmitted every time a HIV positive person and HIV negative person has sex. The risk of transmission occurring depends on the type of sex you have had, with whom and the number of times you have done it.

Lots of different things can make it more likely for HIV to be transmitted; these include having another sexually transmitted infection, bleeding during sex, and the person who already has HIV being at a more infectious stage of HIV.

Taking Post Exposure Prophylaxis, (PEP) within 72hours may reduce the risk of HIV being transmitted.

Q. What is PEP?

PEP stands for Post Exposure Prophylaxis.

Post – After

Exposure - A situation where HIV has a chance to get into someone’s body.

Prophylaxis – A combination of drugs that may stop infection happening.

Q. Will PEP prevent me from developing HIV infection?

A. We think that PEP can offer some protection; however, we can’t guarantee that it will stop you from becoming HIV positive. Although the drugs that are given to you for PEP are not designed to specifically stop HIV infection developing we think they do offer some protection.

Q. What Drugs will I be prescribed?  

A. You will be given a group of anti HIV drugs called antiretrovirals

Q. How do Antiretroviral Drugs Work?

A. They work on different parts of the HIV virus and immune system cells to stop HIV multiplying.

Q. How soon after I have been at risk should I start taking PEP and how long do I have to take it?

A. You should start as soon as possible, and you must start within 72 hours (3 days) of when you think your exposure to HIV occurred. You will need to complete the course of treatment which last 28 days.

Q. What are the side effects of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) drugs?

A. The most common side effects from the tablets are feeling sick and diarrhoea. Some people are sick or lose their appetite. We need to monitor your blood because very occasionally the tablets can affect your kidneys

Some drugs can change the way blood works in your body. This can make any medical problems you have with your blood worse. If you do have a medical problem with your blood you should tell the doctor or nurse this when you first get the drugs. You will be closely monitored to make sure that the tablets don’t cause any problems with your blood.

Q. Are there any drugs that I am currently taking that will interact with PEP?

A. Many drugs can interact with PEP. For this reason, you should tell the doctor who prescribes PEP for you, about any prescription, over the counter, alternative medication or recreational drugs that you are currently taking.

Q. What tests will I need?

A If you take PEP you will need some blood tests before you start the course, then every week for the four weeks of treatment and then after 3 and 6 months. These are explained more fully below:

· Blood taken straight away to check that you are not already HIV positive and to check that you don’t have Hepatitis C.

· Blood taken weekly during the PEP course to check that your blood is working properly and that there are no signs of HIV infection developing.

· Blood taken at three months and six months to check that HIV infection has not developed.

Q. How can I protect myself and my partners in the future?

 A . A condom and lubricant, used properly, is the most effective way of preventing HIV transmission during sex.