Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

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Key Points

  • Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) refers to a short course (28 days) of HIV medicines that are taken after a possible exposure to prevent HIV infection.
  • PEP must be started within 72 hours after a possible exposure to HIV. The sooner PEP is started after a possible HIV exposure, the better.

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

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Key Points

  • Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an HIV medicine taken by people who do not have HIV that reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99% and from injection drug use by at least 74%.
  • Although PrEP protects against HIV during sex without a condom or if a condom fails, it does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) an

Preventing Perinatal Transmission of HIV After Birth

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Key Points

  • To prevent perinatal transmission of HIV after childbirth, HIV medicines should be continued postpartum and should be started for infants exposed to HIV at birth, ideally within six hours of delivery.
  • HIV testing is recommended for all infants who may be exposed to HIV during pregnancy or childbirth; more frequent testing is recommended for infants at incr

HIV Medicines During Pregnancy and Childbirth

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Key Points

  • HIV medicines (known as antiretrovirals) should be started as soon as possible during pregnancy and/or continued throughout pregnancy to maintain good health, prevent perinatal transmission of HIV, and prevent HIV transmission to sexual partners.
  • Because most HIV medicines are considered safe during pregnancy,

What is an Investigational HIV Drug?

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Key Points

  • An investigational drug is a drug that is being studied to determine whether it is safe and effective and how much of the drug is needed to treat a disease or medical condition, such as HIV.
  • Investigational HIV drugs are studied in a series of medical studies known as