May 2006
PEP Rally
by Lucile Scott
Post-exposure prophylaxis may block HIV infection for a larger squad
Since the late ’90s, some people have been advised to pop Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) within 72 hours of suspected HIV contact to prevent infection. Folks may be able to take PEP up to two weeks after exposure, according to preliminary data released by the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) in February. “People are still under the illusion that if they don’t get PEP within 72 hours, it isn’t worth trying.
This isn’t true,” said a BASHH spokesperson. PEP, a four-week regimen of antiretrovirals, is CDC approved, though often hard to locate in the U.S. Inquire at a local AIDS service organization, ask your doc or stop by an AIDS-savvy hospital or health clinic to PEP up.
