Pep | ACTS Ghana

PEP
post-exposure prophylaxis

A new HIV prevention approach where HIV-negative individuals use Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy, HAART to reduce their risk of becoming infected.

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What is PEP?

PEP stands for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis. It's a time-sensitive treatment involving medication after a potential exposure to HIV. Ideally, you should begin PEP as soon as possible, within 72 hours (3 days) of the event.

The medication aims to prevent HIV from establishing itself in your body. It works by hindering the virus's ability to replicate, potentially stopping the infection before it takes hold. A typical PEP regimen involves taking two to three medications for 28 days.

It's important to remember that PEP is not a guaranteed preventative measure.

Who can benefit from PEP?

PEP is intended for anyone who may have been exposed to HIV during a single, recent event. It's not suitable for those with frequent potential exposures.

Here are some scenarios where PEP might be considered:

Healthcare workers experiencing a potential exposure to HIV-positive blood or bodily fluids (risk of infection from this situation is less than 1 in 100).
Unprotected sexual contact.
Sharing needles for injection drug use.
Sexual assault.

Key Points to Remember:

PEP is for emergency use only, not a substitute for regular HIV prevention methods like PrEP, consistent condom use, or sterile injection equipment.
If prescribed PEP, you'll need follow-up HIV testing at specific intervals after the potential exposure.
While taking PEP, continue using condoms and avoid sharing injection equipment.

When to Take PEP

Time is critical with PEP. The medication needs to be initiated within 72 hours to be most effective. Research suggests that PEP offers little to no protection if started later than that timeframe. This is because HIV replicates quickly after entering the body. PEP can potentially stop the virus when it's in a limited number of cells, but not once it's widespread.

Think PEP might be right for you?

If you're concerned about a potential HIV exposure and are interested in learning more about our 24/7 PEP services, please contact our Prevention Team Lead.