Are you worried? Did you sleep with an infected person without protection or were you raped? Are you wondering what next if you acquire HIV virus.
It is now possible to fight HIV virus within 72 hours from the time you suspect that you acquired HIV infection.
Available now is the Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), it usually means taking antiretroviral medicines (ART) after being potentially exposed to HIV to prevent one from becoming infected.
PEP should be used only in emergency situations and must be started immediately within 72 hours after a recent possible exposure to HIV.
If you think you’ve recently been exposed to HIV during sex or through sharing needles and works to prepare drugs or if you’ve been sexually assaulted, talk to your health care provider or an emergency room doctor about PEP right away.
If your health care provider thinks PEP is right for you, you’ll take 3 or more ARV medicines every day for 28 days. PEP is effective in preventing HIV infection when it’s taken correctly.While taking PEP, it’s important to keep using condoms with sex partners and to continue safe drug injection practices.