Post-exposure prophylaxis, commonly referred to as PEP, is a four-week course of anti-HIV drugs that may prevent HIV infection (provided the treatment is started as soon as possible after the potential exposure).
If you think you may have been exposed to HIV, you should consider getting PEP. If you think you may have exposed another person to HIV, let them know about PEP and where they can access it.
To be most effective, PEP should be started as soon as possible after exposure to HIV. If it is not started within 72 hours (three days) it is not likely to work.
To get PEP, contact your local sexual health clinic, hospital emergency department or go to www.getpep.info for more information.