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Use of anti-HIV drugs to prevent infection with HIV
If a person thinks that they have been exposed to HIV during sex, many clinics are willing to provide them with a short-course of anti-HIV drugs to try to prevent infection. This is called post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP for short. However, not all clinics offer it for sexual exposure, because of worries about side-effects and resistance. Nevertheless, it is becoming more widely available. PEP is not a kind of “morning-after pill” for HIV and it’s not 100% effective.
PEP may also be considered in cases of rape and sexual assault where there is a risk of HIV transmission.
It is important to provide PEP as soon as possible after possible exposure to HIV – ideally within four hours, and certainly within 72 hours.