PEP and PrEP
After a possible exposure to HIV
PEP is the acronym of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis. It ‧means taking antiretroviral medicines (ART) after being potentially exposed to HIV to prevent becoming infected. PEP should be used only in emergency situations and must be started within 72 hours (even better if within 48 hours) ‧after a possible exposure to HIV. The earlier it is initiated, the better for the treatment. ‧The treatment is taken during 28 days and it is free to get in HIV clinics. ‧PEP can only be prescribed by a physician and greatly reduces the risk of HIV infection if it is initiated within the first hours. ‧In case you forget to put a condom or if it breaks, do not hesitate to go the emergency services of an ‧HIV clinic.
GO TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND WITHIN 72 HOURS IN AN HIV CLINIC OR AN ACADEMIC HOSPITAL!
Before sex
PrEP is short for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. This means taking HIV medication before having a sexual contact that may expose you to the virus. This preventive treatment prevents HIV infection in the event of exposure during sexual intercourse. International studies have confirmed the effectiveness of PrEP. It does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections.
There are two ways to take PrEP:
- either you take it once when you know you are going to take a risk which is called intermittent taking (also called ‘on-demand’, ‘event-based’ or '2-1-1' dosing). In this case, you have to take a double dose of PrEP (two pills) from 2 to 24 hours before anticipated sex, and then, if sex happened, two separate doses: one pill 24 hours after the first one, and finally another pill 24 hours later.
- or, you can take it regularly (one pill a day).
LEARN MORE ABOUT PREP!
- Where to take PrEP in Belgium?
- MyPrEP.be. A Belgian page dedicated to PrEP (only in French)
- Already on PrEP? Interested in starting it? You can talk about it on this Facebook group! (invite only)
The ExAequo team is also available to answer your health questions and provide you with advice. Contact us by phone on +32 2 736 28 61 or by e-mail on prep@exaequo.be.
