PEP is a medicine that can help prevent HIV after a possible exposure. It must be started within 72 hours (3 days) after the exposure. The sooner it begins, the better it works.

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PEP is for emergency situations, such as:

• Having sex without a condom or when a condom breaks

• Sharing needles or syringes

• Experiencing sexual assault

It is not meant for regular use or ongoing HIV prevention.

The treatment lasts for 28 days and includes taking HIV medicine every day. These medicines help stop the virus from spreading in the body. PEP works best when all doses are taken as prescribed and no doses are missed.

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People taking PEP should be tested for HIV before starting treatment, and again at 30 days and 90 days after the exposure.

Most people have few or mild side effects, such as nausea or tiredness. These usually go away on their own.

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If your possible exposure to HIV happened within the last 72 hours, don’t wait. Contact Pineapple Healthcare right away for same-day care. You can call us, walk into any of our clinics in Orlando, Lakeland, or Kissimmee

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