PEP

Is it too late once HIV is inside someone?

No! After unsafe sex or if a condom breaks it’s possible to stop someone becoming HIV positive if you act fast.

When HIV gets into someone’s bloodstream it takes time before the virus permanently infects them. Starting something called PEP (post exposure prophylaxis) during this short period can kill the virus before this happens.

PEP is a month long course of HIV drugs available from sexual health clinics and some hospitals.

PEP’s not guaranteed to work and can have side effects (eg, diarrhoea and feeling sick) so isn’t to be used instead of condoms. But it makes getting infected much less likely.

PEP has the best chance of working if it’s started within 24 hours of the risk happening. But it might be given up to 72 hours (3 days).

One day you - or someone you have sex with - might need PEP. For more information on it, when it’s given and where to get it check out:

• the PEP booklet available in gay venues or from the website below
• the web site www.chapsonline.org.uk/pep
• or call THT Direct on 0845 12 21 200