Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is medicine that can be taken in emergency situations by an HIV-negative person to prevent HIV after a possible recent exposure. Possible exposures may include:
• No condom or condom broke during sex with someone who is HIV positive or whose HIV status you do not know
• Shared needles or other equipment to inject drugs
• Sexual assault
• Occupational exposure (e.g. accidental needle stick)
If you believe you may have been exposed to HIV, don’t wait to start PEP; it must be started within 72 hours of exposure to HIV. Contact your healthcare provider or visit the emergency room right away. Learn more about PEP from the New York State Department of Health.