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 Minnesota AIDS Project
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How to Keep Yourself Safe 1. Preventing Sexual Transmission 2. Preventinng Transmission During Substance Use 3. Preventing Transmission Through Pregnancy 4. Preventing Transmission in Occupational and Controlled Settings Preventing Transmission in Occupational and Controlled Exposure Settings Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) treatment used immediately following a serious exposure that poses a demonstrated risk for HIV infection can significantly reduce the likelihood of the exposure resulting in an infection. The idea behind PEP treatment is to attack the virus with HIV anti-viral drugs; this prevents the virus from starting its replication process in the body. PEP treatment is routinely used in occupational settings, particularly in health care settings to prevent infection from work-related exposures. It is also used to reduce transmission to a fetus exposed to HIV in the womb or during pregnancy. In some circumstances, physicians will prescribe PEP treatment for individuals who have experienced a recent non-occupational exposure such as a sexual or injecting drug use exposure. Which HIV drugs are used? PEP treatments typically include a combination of HIV antiretroviral drugs. The combination may vary depending upon the seriousness of the exposure. When to start PEP treatment? PEP treatments needs to start as soon as possible after an exposure, most certainly within the first 72 hours. Most hospitals are set-up to start PEP treatment within a few hours of an exposure. The sooner the better. How well does it work? The risk of HIV transmission through a needle-stick injury is about 0.3 percent. With PEP treatment, the chances of infection are reduced by an additional 81 percent. How long is the treatment? The typical treatment will last about four weeks. Last Updated:
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Content Notice: This site contains HIV prevention messages that may not be appropriate for all audiences. Since HIV infection is spread primarily though sexual practices or by sharing needles, prevention messages and programs may address these topics. If you are not seeking such information or materials, please exit this Web site. |
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