Highlights & Basics
- Post-exposure HIV prophylaxis must be initiated as soon as possible, ideally within 2 hours, and preferably within 24 hours of exposure. However, the period during which post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is most efficacious is often said to be within 72 hours of exposure.
- Most exposures have only a low risk of HIV transmission even in the absence of PEP.
- PEP given to HIV-negative people reduces likelihood of HIV seroconversion by approximately 80%.
- Duration of treatment is 28 days.
- New antiretroviral treatment regimens for PEP offer low risk of toxicity.
Quick Reference
History & Exam
Key Factors
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Definition
Epidemiology
Etiology
Pathophysiology
Citations
British Association for Sexual Health and HIV. UK guideline for the use of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis. 2021 [internet publication].[Full Text]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; US Department of Health and Human Services. Updated guidelines for antiretroviral postexposure prophylaxis after sexual, injection drug use, or other nonoccupational exposure to HIV - United States, 2016. May 2018 [internet publication].[Full Text]
World Health Organization. Consolidated guidelines on the use of antiretroviral drugs for treating and preventing HIV infection: recommendations for a public health approach, 2nd ed. 2016 [internet publication].[Full Text]
New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute. PEP to prevent HIV infection. Aug 2023 [internet publication].[Full Text]
World Health Organization. Updated recommendations on first-line and second-line antiretroviral regimens and post-exposure prophylaxis and recommendations on early infant diagnosis of HIV. Jan 2018 [internet publication].[Full Text]
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