Fast, Effective HIV PEP Treatment at PULSE CLINIC (Social Enterprise): What You Need to Know!

11 Apr 2025

What is PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) for HIV?

PEP stands for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis — it’s a short-term course of HIV medication taken after a possible exposure to the virus, in order to prevent infection.

Timing is Everything

PEP must be started within 72 hours (3 days) of possible HIV exposure.
The sooner, the better — ideally within a few hours.
It's taken for 28 days (about 1 month), once started.

Who Should Take PEP?

PEP is recommended if you’re HIV-negative and may have been exposed to HIV through:

Unprotected sex (especially if the partner's HIV status is unknown or positive)
Sexual assault
Sharing needles or injection equipment
Occupational exposure (e.g., needlestick injury for healthcare workers)

Common HIV Medications Used in PEP

PEP regimens typically combine 3 antiretroviral drugs from 2 different classes to give strong protection against HIV.

The most common PEP regimen is:
- Truvada + Tivicay
  - Truvada (Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate + Emtricitabine)
    - 1 pill once a day
    - Helps block HIV from replicating
  - Tivicay (Dolutegravir)
    - 1 pill once a day
    - Powerful integrase inhibitor that prevents the virus from integrating into your cells
Alternative combinations (for people who can’t take the above):
- Truvada + Isentress (Raltegravir)
- Descovy (TAF + Emtricitabine) + Tivicay (less commonly used for PEP, more common in PrEP or treatment)

How Effective Is PEP?

When taken correctly and on time, PEP is very effective at preventing HIV — but it's not 100% guaranteed. That’s why fast action is crucial, and completing the full 28-day course is essential.

Follow-Up After PEP

After completing PEP, follow-up HIV testing is typically done at:

4–6 weeks
3 months
(Sometimes) 6 months, depending on risk

Key Takeaways

PEP = emergency HIV prevention after exposure
Must be started within 72 hours
Take for 28 days
Most common combo: Truvada + Tivicay
Available at ERs, urgent care, and some clinics

Missed the 72-Hour Window for HIV PEP? Don’t Panic – Get Expert Advice Now!

Even if it’s been 5-7 days since a potential HIV exposure, it’s not too late to act! While the 72-hour window for PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) is ideal, consulting a healthcare provider ASAP can still make a difference. You might be a candidate for a powerful 3-drug combo treatment to kickstart your journey to protection, helping minimize any impact on your immune system.

Don't wait – your health is too important! Reach out to a medical professional and explore your options. The sooner you act, the better the outcome.

Estimated HIV transmission risk per exposure for specific activities and events

Activity	Risk-per-exposure
Vaginal sex, female-to-male, studies in high-income countries	0.04% (1:2380)
Vaginal sex, male-to-female, studies in high-income countries	0.08% (1:1234)
Vaginal sex, female-to-male, studies in low-income countries	0.38% (1:263)
Vaginal sex, male-to-female, studies in low-income countries	0.30% (1:333)
Vaginal sex, source partner is asymptomatic	0.07% (1:1428)
Vaginal sex, source partner has late-stage disease	0.55% (1:180)
Receptive anal sex amongst gay men, partner unknown status	0.27% (1:370)
Receptive anal sex amongst gay men, partner HIV positive	0.82% (1:123)
Receptive anal sex with condom, gay men, partner unknown status	0.18% (1:555)
Insertive anal sex, gay men, partner unknown status	0.06% (1:1666)
Insertive anal sex with condom, gay men, partner unknown status	0.04% (1:2500)
Receptive fellatio	Estimates range from 0.00% to 0.04% (1:2500)
Mother-to-child, mother takes at least two weeks antiretroviral therapy	0.8% (1:125)
Mother-to-child, mother takes combination therapy, viral load below 50	0.1% (1:1000)
Injecting drug use	Estimates range from 0.63% (1:158) to 2.4% (1:41)
Needlestick injury, no other risk factors	0.13% (1:769)
Blood transfusion with contaminated blood	92.5% (9:10)

Sources: vaginal sex;1 anal sex;2 fellatio;3 2 mother-to-child;4 other activities.5

References

1. Boily MC et al. Heterosexual risk of HIV-1 infection per sexual act: systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Lancet Infect Dis 9(2): 118-129, 2009

2. Vittinghoff E et al. Per-contact risk of human immunodeficiency virus transmission between male sexual partners. American Journal of Epidemiology 150: 306-311, 1999

3. Del Romero J et al. Evaluating the risk of HIV transmission through unprotected orogenital sex. AIDS 16(9): 1296-1297, 2002

4. Townsend C et al. Low rates of mother-to-child transmission of HIV following effective pregnancy interventions in the United Kingdom and Ireland, 2000-2006. AIDS 22: 973-981, 2008

5. Baggaley RF et al. Risk of HIV-1 transmission for parenteral exposure and blood transfusion. AIDS 20: 805-812, 2006

What’s the PEP Experience Like at PULSE CLINIC (Social Enterprise)? Get Ready for Fast, Friendly, and Thorough Care!

Here’s what you can expect when you walk through our doors:

Quick Consultation: Our expert doctors will walk you through the process and answer all your questions.
Rapid Screening: We’ll run tests for HIV and Hepatitis B, with results in just 15 minutes – and our accuracy? An impressive 99.9%!
Kidney Function Tests: We make sure everything’s in check before starting your treatment.
PEP Medications: If PEP is right for you, we’ll get you started on the latest, most effective meds.
STD Testing or Treatment: We’ll also test or treat for any possible sexually transmitted infections to keep you fully protected.

Which HIV PEP Medications Do We Offer?

At PULSE CLINIC (Social Enterprise), we use the best of the best when it comes to HIV PEP treatment. Our medications come with fewer side effects and better prevention, all prescribed for a 28-day course.

For adults, we combine Tenofovir with either Tenofovir (TDF) and Emtricitabine (FTC) — the go-to HIV meds, also used in long-term HIV treatment. If needed, our doctors may also recommend a third drug, chosen based on your specific needs, all guided by the latest from the WHO and CDC.

HIV Drug Resistance? No worries! If your exposure involves an HIV strain that’s resistant to standard meds, we’ve got higher-class medications at the ready. These are recommended by the CDC and designed to combat the toughest strains, though they come at a higher price due to their advanced nature.

What Else You Should Do After Possible HIV Exposure?

Your doctor might suggest treatment for other STDs like gonorrhea, chlamydia, or syphilis if unprotected sex or other sexual incidents occurred. We recommend our PCR multiplex test, which checks for 28 infections that cause STDs. It’s all part of our holistic approach to your health.

You Might Not Need PEP If...

Your partner is HIV-negative.
Your partner is HIV-positive but on successful treatment and has an undetectable viral load.
Human bites (don’t worry, this isn’t typically a concern for HIV).
Contact with semen in your eye (again, unlikely to need PEP).

At PULSE CLINIC (Social Enterprise), we’re here to provide fast, effective care tailored just for you. If you’ve had a potential HIV exposure, don’t wait — come in for your consultation today!