Understanding HIV through PEP

HIV PEP, or what is termed as HIV Post Exposure Prophylaxis, means to get prevention from an infection or disease. PEP is basically medicines which are given to people in case of emergency, if they have been exposed to HIV. This helps in stopping the HIV infection from spreading entirely in the human body and is used for bringing as much prevention as possible. Here is everything that you need to understand about PEP, in order to know why to utilize it and how it can possibly help you. However, one must know that it is not 100% confirmed that PEP helps you in preventing the HIV infection. The results vary highly.

WHY SHOULD ONE CONSIDER TAKING HIV PEP?

PEP is considered when you are HIV negative or you have no idea about what your HIV status is, if within the last 72 hours you were assaulted sexually or shared needles with someone while drug prep. It can also be taken under circumstances where you think that you were exposed to HIV during physical connection. Gut instincts usually don’t lie and taking medication for assumptions is just fine. But PEP cannot be used every time you “think” you are exposed to HIV. It is only meant for emergency situations. If you know that your partner is HIV positive, it is best to avoid sexual contact. If you are using protection and it breaks, you definitely know that you will need PEP by all means.

HIV PEP must and can only be taken within 72 hours after your sexual contact. After that, you only have the option of getting yourself tested for HIV and PEP medication cannot be used. 72 hours make up 3 days and that is the only time limit that you have to get a PEP prescribed by your healthcare professional. An individual needs to take PEP for 28 days and within this time period; he or she might have to visit their doctor some or several times in between. Once you are done with the PEP medication, you need to head out for a proper HIV test right away and see whether your status has is negative or positive.

IS PEP GOING TO WORK FOR SURE?

Many people require a proper assurance for the fact that PEP will free them of HIV infection by all means. But let me burst your bubble here; it is not confirmed. PEP is very effective in preventing the HIV infection, in most cases, but the results vary and it is not 100% effective all the times. It is considered that PEP helps the most when it is taken right away after being exposed to HIV. The better, the sooner is the key here. However, many people don’t have an idea that they might be having sex with an HIV positive person. This is where they can only take a test and get to know about their HIV status.

VERDICT

If you have a proper sexual life and you might be changing partners a lot, it is important to go for an HIV test once or twice every year. Majority of people do not inform their partner that they have HIV and that is what increases the number of people who have this disease now. Make sure that you get yourself tested annually and if you are exposed to it by mistake, make sure that you go for PEP right away. An emergency nurse or your personal healthcare professional will prescribe it for you, after jotting down some necessary details.