Tuesday, March 19, 2024

What Is Pep In Hiv

Pep Isnt An Ongoing Method Of Hiv Prevention

Let’s Give a PEP Talk! An Antiretroviral Therapy for HIV Prevention

PEP is only for emergencies and infrequent exposures, as it is not 100% effective in preventing HIV even when taken as prescribed. It should not be considered a substitute for proven methods of long-term HIV prevention, including condoms and/or taking PrEP, a medication that can lower your risk of sexual transmission of HIV by 99% when taken daily. It is also important to continue using condoms during your 28-day course of PEP.

If you have had several potential exposures to HIV, speak with your doctor about potentially taking PrEP to prevent HIV infection in the long term.

Take Emergency Pep After Exposure To Hiv

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis is an emergency medicine for people who are HIV-negative and may have been exposed to HIV. If you think you were exposed to HIV, call the NYC PEP hotline at 844-3-PEPNYC , or go immediately to a clinic or emergency room and ask for PEP.

PEP: The Basics

  • Know Your Risk. PEP can protect you if you had anal or vaginal sex without a condom with someone who has, or might have, HIV. PEP can also prevent HIV if you were exposed while injecting drugs.
  • Act Fast. PEP works best if started right away. You should begin PEP within 36 hours but not beyond 72 hours after a potential exposure to HIV. Go to an emergency room, clinic or NYC Sexual Health Clinic and ask for emergency PEP to prevent HIV, or call the NYC PEP Hotline at 3-PEPNYC . The Hotline is available 24/7 and can help you get started on PEP right away.
  • Take PEP for 28 Days. PEP is taken in pill form for 28 days. You need to take PEP each day to keep enough medicine in your body to stop HIV. If you want to stop taking PEP, talk to your doctor first.
  • Know about Common Side Effects. PEP can have mild side effects, like stomach pain and headache.
  • Be Ready to Follow-Up. After you finish taking PEP, your doctor will give you an HIV test to make sure PEP worked.
  • Consider PrEP: If you often worry about exposure to HIV, ask your doctor about PrEP – a daily pill that helps prevent HIV.

How does PEP stop HIV?

How do I know if I need PEP?

How do I take PEP?

PEP involves several steps:

How well does PEP work?

When Is Pep Used

PEP can be used after exposure to HIV in a work context or after exposure to HIV that is not work related such as sexual exposure or injection drug use .

Occupational PEP is when PEP is used by people who have an exposure to blood and/or body fluids that may contain HIV in their workplace for example, a healthcare worker who accidently experiences a needle-stick injury.

Non-occupational PEP is when PEP is used after a potential high-risk exposure to HIV that is not work related, such as unprotected sex, a condom breaking during sex, sexual assault, or sharing needles used to inject drugs.

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Who Should Consider Taking Pep

PEP may be prescribed for people who are HIV negative or do not know their HIV status, and who in the last 72 hours:

  • May have been exposed to HIV during sex
  • Were sexually assaulted
  • May have been exposed to HIV at work

If you think you were recently exposed to HIV, talk to your health care provider or an emergency room doctor about PEP right away.

A health care worker who has a possible exposure to HIV should seek medical attention immediately.

When To Consult An Expert Regarding The First Dose Of Pep

HIV/PEP/PrEP Treatment in Delhi

Examples of clinical scenarios that warrant consultation with an experienced HIV care provider include: a source with ARV-resistant HIV, an exposed individual with limited options for PEP medications due to potential drug-drug interactions or comorbidities, or an exposed individual who is pregnant or unconscious.

Expert consultation for New York State clinicians: In such circumstances, clinicians are advised to call the Clinical Education Initiative to speak with an experienced HIV care provider.

The Clinical Consultation Center for PEP may be reached by calling 1-888-448-4911. The CCC is part of the AIDS Education and Training Centers and is located at the University of California, San Francisco/Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. It is funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. See UCSF > PEP for more information, including hours.

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How Will I Take Pep

If the health care provider decides to prescribe PEP to you, the medication will be explained in detail at the time of your visit. You will be asked to fill the prescription and take the medication as directed. If PEP is obtained through an emergency room, you may be given the first dose along with a few days supply in order to give you time to fill the prescription for the rest.

Once you begin taking PEP, it is important to continue taking the medication as directed. Stopping or skipping doses may be dangerous. PEP is prescribed for 28 days, meaning you must take the medication each day for 28 days. Do not skip doses. PEP may not work correctly if taken in combination with certain medications. Before starting PEP, be certain to discuss any medications youre taking with your health care provider and the pharmacist filling you prescription. Be sure to discuss any over-the-counter drugs, herbal medicines, and vitamins youre taking.

You should only stop taking PEP if your healthcare provider instructs you to do so. You must complete the full course of medication to have the best chance of stopping HIV infection.

Who Is Eligible For Pep

PEP works most effectively for people who may have been exposed to HIV within the last three days. That primarily includes anyone who had unprotected sex with or who shared needles or other drug paraphernalia with someone who may have HIV. It is also recommended in instances of sexual assault or if you used a condom that broke while having sex with someone who may have HIV.

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Can I Take Pep Every Time I Have Unprotected Sex

PEP is only for emergencies. Donât use it in place of safe sex or new sterile needles.

If you’re exposed to HIV a lot — for example, because you have multiple sex partners or use injected drugs — talk with your doctor about pre-exposure prophylaxis . Thatâs a medicine you take every day to keep HIV from taking hold in your body.

Hiv Prevention: What Is Pep

HIV Prevention Lets Talk About PEP

If you know what PrEP is, chances are you’ve also heard of PEP. While PrEP is best known as an HIV prevention method, PEP is also a way to protect against HIV. Read on to learn about how PEP works and how to get PEP.

Information for this blog is derived from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What is PEP?

PEP, which stands for post-exposure prophylaxis, is a medication taken after you think you may have been exposed to HIV. It can be effective in emergency situations, but you musttake it within 72 hours of the potential exposure in order for it to work. You will then have to take PEP daily for 28 days.

PEP should not be used as a substitute for an HIV prevention medication like PrEP, or as a back-up measure to not using a condom or practicing safe sex.

When to use PEP

PEP is an emergency HIV prevention method. It’s important to always talk with your provider about PrEP and PEP. You should take PEP in emergency situations when you think you may have been exposed to HIV:

  • If a condom breaks during sex.
  • If you have unprotected sex.
  • Through sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment to inject drugs.
  • In the event of a sexual assault.
What are PEP side effects?

The most common side effects of PEP is nausea. Most of the time, it is mild, and not everyone experiences them. If you are experiencing other side effects while on PEP, reach out to your provider right away. PEP is a safe drug to use.

How well does PEP work?
Always practice safe sex
Where to get PEP

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How Well Does Prep Work

PrEP is very effective when you take it every day. It reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by more than 90%. In people who inject drugs, it reduces the risk of HIV by more than 70%. PrEP is much less effective if you do not take it consistently.

PrEP does not protect against other STDs, so you should still use latex condoms every time you have sex. If your or your partner is allergic to latex, you can use polyurethane condoms.

You must have an HIV test every 3 months while taking PrEP, so you’ll have regular follow-up visits with your health care provider. If you are having trouble taking PrEP every day or if you want to stop taking PrEP, talk to your health care provider.

How Much Does It Costs

PEP is a drug program that you need to take after you were exposed to HIV. It is recommended to take it as soon as possible. PEP is estimated to cost a range of RM 1,800 to RM 3,000. For best results, you are advised to take every dose of PEP medication.

In Premier Clinic, each purchase of PEP consists of 2 prescribed medications. It cost around RM 2,100. Both medications need to be consumed for 30 days to avoid you from being infected by HIV. However, PEP usually is taken within 72 hours after exposure for it to be effective.

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Can I Take Pep If Im Pregnant

Yes. If you are pregnant, you can still take PEP. Your provider will want discuss the benefits and risks to you and your baby. If you are nursing, you should stop breast feeding for three months following the exposure. HIV can be transmitted through breast milk, so your HIV status should be verified before you resume breast feeding. Ask your provider about pumping and discarding breast milk if you wish to go back to breastfeeding after the three month period.

How To Get Pep In Ontario

HIV Pro

If you think you’ve been exposed to HIV and you’re not on PrEP, time is of the essence. You must start taking PEP within 72 hours of exposure to help prevent HIV infection. Research has shown that the sooner you start PEP after exposure, ideally within 24 to 48 hours, the greater the chance that you’ll prevent HIV infection.

Step-by-step for PEP treatment in Toronto:

  • As soon as you realize you may have been exposed to HIV, go to the emergency department at a hospital nearest you, as soon as possible within 72 hours, the sooner the better.

  • If you have any questions about PEP or insurance coverage, talk to us at The Village Pharmacy. We’re here to help.

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    When Is Pep Recommended

    PEP is generally not recommended if you dont know the HIV status of partner, except some cases of anal sex. Not knowing your partners HIV status might be worrying you, but PEP isnt recommended because the number of people in the UK who have HIV but arent taking effective treatment is actually quite small.

    PEP is not recommended in other circumstances, including oral sex, semen splashes on skin or in eyes, human bites, or a needlestick injury in the community.

    Your healthcare team can give you more information about the relative risks of different sexual activities. You can also assess the risk of HIV transmission using this tool on the Terrence Higgins Trust website.

    How Do You Know If You Need Pep

    PEP may be right for you if you are HIV-negative or dont know your HIV status, and you think you may have been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours:

    • During sex
    • Through shared needles, syringes, or other equipment used to inject drugs, or
    • Through sexual assault

    Contact your health care provider immediately or go to an emergency room or urgent care clinic right away.

    Your health care provider or emergency room doctor will evaluate you, help you decide whether PEP is right for you, and work with you to determine which medicines to take for PEP.

    In addition, if you are a health care worker, you may be prescribed PEP after a possible exposure to HIV at work, such as from a needlestick injury.

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    How Well Does Pep Work To Prevent Hiv Transmission

    PEP does not prevent 100% of HIV infections but it is very effective at preventing HIV if used every day for 28 days. PEP should ideally be started right away, but it can be started up to a maximum of 72 hours after a potential exposure to HIV. The sooner you start PEP, the more effective it is.

    To maximize the effectiveness of PEP:

  • Get PEP prescribed by a healthcare provider
  • Start taking PEP as soon as possible after an exposure
  • Take PEP medications as prescribed, typically every day for 28 days
  • Use other prevention strategies to avoid other potential exposures while taking PEP
  • How Do You Take Pep

    PEP: Preventing HIV after a potential exposure

    PEP consists of three drugs that you take onetwo times per day for 28 days. Ideally, the first dose of PEP should be administered immediately, within two hours but no later than 72 hours after an exposure, because the effectiveness of PEP decreases over time.

    It is important to take all the dosesat the right time and in the right wayto give PEP the best chance of working.

    Although PEP does not prevent 100% of HIV infections, it has been shown to decrease the transmission of HIV by more than 80%.

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    Occupational Exposure Risk Evaluation

    PEP is indicated whenever an occupational exposure to blood, visibly bloody fluids, or other potentially infectious material occurs through percutaneous or mucocutaneous routes or through non-intact skin. , below, illustrates the steps in determining whether ongoing PEP is indicated after the first emergency dose.

    Occupational exposures for which PEP is indicated include the following:

    • Break in the skin by a sharp object that has been in the sources blood vessel or is contaminated with blood, visibly bloody fluid, or other potentially infectious material.
    • Bite from a patient with visible bleeding in the mouth that causes bleeding in the exposed individual.

    PEP is not indicated for an exposure to saliva, including from being spat on, in the absence of visible blood.

  • Splash of blood, visibly bloody fluid, or other potentially infectious material to the mouth, nose, or eyes.
  • A non-intact skin exposure to blood, visibly bloody fluid, or other potentially infectious material.
  • What If Its Been More Than 72 Hours Since I Think I Was Exposed To Hiv

    If its been longer than 72 hours and you’re worried you may have been exposed to HIV, get to an HIV doctor or HIV testing clinic right away and get tested for HIV.

    There is a ‘window period’ between the time you were infected and when an HIV test result shows positive. The window period can last anytime from 10 days to 3 months, and the results of an HIV test depends on the person, and the test being used. During this window period, HIV is easily transmitted to a sexual partner, and you may be at higher risk for STIs. If you’re not sure of your HIV status, you could take a break, or if you do have sex, its good practice to use condoms during this time.

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    Purpose And Use Of This Guideline

    This guideline was developed by the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute for healthcare practitioners in any medical setting who manage the care of individuals who request post-exposure prophylaxis after a possible exposure to HIV. Despite the availability of prevention measures, exposures occur that pose the risk of transmission. Fortunately, with rapid initiation of PEP, infection can be blocked. Preventing new HIV infections is crucial to the success of New York States Ending the Epidemic Initiative.

    HIV transmission can be prevented through use of barrier protection during sex , safer drug injection techniques, and adherence to universal precautions in the healthcare setting. HIV infection can also be prevented with use of antiretroviral medications taken as pre-exposure prophylaxis . After an exposure has occurred, HIV infection can be prevented with rapid administration of ARV medications as PEP. The first dose of PEP should be administered within 2 hours of an exposure and no later than 72 hours after an exposure.

    What Are Some Of The Safety Concerns Associated With Taking Pep

    PPT

    Drug resistance

    A person with low adherence to PEP, who acquires HIV while taking PEP, could develop resistance to the drugs in PEP. If a persons HIV becomes resistant to the PEP drugs, those same HIV drugs may not work for treating their HIV.

    Side effects

    HIV drugs can cause side effects, such as nausea, fatigue and diarrhea. The nature and severity of the side effects depend on the type of drugs prescribed and the person who is taking them. The HIV drugs that are recommended for PEP in Canada are generally well tolerated and associated with minimal side effects.

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    What Should I Do If I Think I Have Been Exposed To Hiv

    PEP is most effective when taken immediately following an exposure to HIV. If you believe you have been exposed to HIV, you should seek PEP as immediately as possible.

    If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you should seek PEP immediately:

    • Have you just experienced sexual assault?
    • Did you just have unprotected vaginal or anal sex with someone who you know is HIV-positive or whose status you do not know? .
    • Did you share needles or other drug injection equipment with someone you either know is HIV-positive or whose HIV status you dont know?

    If you think that you were exposed to HIV at work, tell your supervisor immediately. .

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