PEP refers to ‘Post Exposure Prophylaxis’. The term ‘Prophylaxis’ refers to the prevention of a disease or infection, or the protection from it. Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) includes consuming antiretroviral (ARV) as quickly as possible upon suspected exposure to the HIV virus to minimize and prevent the chances of getting HIV infected.
In general, there are two type of PEP:
oPEP refers to ‘Occupational Post-Exposure Prophylaxis’. What this means is when the risk is derived from occupational settings, such as work as a healthcare worker. When a healthcare worker gets suspected exposure to HIV, say via a needle prick injury, he or she will be recommended to consume PEP.
nPEP refers to’Non-Occupational Post-Exposure Prophylaxis’. It is generally consumed and taken when the risk of HIV exposure occurs outside of work settings. For example, if suspected exposure is derived from sexual contact with a partner or via drug abuse injections, the person will be recommended to undergo nPEP medication.