PrEP* and PEP* are medicines that help prevent HIV. Each type is used in a different situation:
- PrEP stands for ‘Pre-exposure prophylaxis’. It is for people who don't already have HIV but are at a very high risk of getting it. PrEP is daily medicine that can reduce this risk. With PrEP, if you do get exposed to HIV, the medicine can stop HIV from taking hold and spreading throughout your body.
- PEP stands for post-exposure prophylaxis. PEP is for people who have possibly been exposed to HIV. It is only for emergency situations. PEP must be started within 72 hours after a possible exposure to HIV.
PEP stands for post-exposure prophylaxis. PEP is available for occupational exposure by health care professionals and exposed persons in case of sexual assault.
NACO website: Occupational exposure
Occupational exposure refers to exposure to potential blood-borne infections (HIV, HBV and HCV) that may occur in healthcare settings during performance of job duties. Post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) refers to comprehensive medical management to minimise the risk of infection among Health Care Personnel (HCP) following potential exposure to blood-borne pathogens (HIV, HBV, HCV). This includes counselling, risk assessment, relevant laboratory investigations based on informed consent of the source and exposed person, first aid and depending on the risk assessment, the provision of short term (four weeks) of antiretroviral drugs, with follow up and support.
These medications are only available at Government ART centres, link ART centres (LAC), ICTC and Private clinics e.g. The Humsafar Trust (LAC)
These medications are only available at Government ICTC, Private clinics and Community led clinics e.g The Humsafar Trust.