PEP: (post exposure prophylaxis) emergency treatment against HIV

This is an emergency treatment with retroviral HIV medications. It reduces the risk of HIV infection and prevents the virus from spreading in the body.

It must be started within 48 hours of exposure to risk at the latest (unprotected sexual intercourse with vaginal or anal penetration, condom rupture, receptive oral intercourse with ejaculation, an HIV-positive partner who has detectable or unknown viremia). This is a heavy treatment that must be taken for 4 weeks, under medical supervision.

PEP, however, only protects against HIV and not from other sexually transmitted diseases such as, for example, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, or hepatitis.

If you have had intercourse at risk, contact the emergency room of the hospital closest to you as soon as possible to assess the risk and the eventual need to take PEP.

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (or PrEP) is medicine taken to prevent getting HIV. PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV when taken as prescribed.

• PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99%.
• PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from injection drug use by at least 74%.

PrEP is less effective when not taken as prescribed.

However, PrEP only protects against HIV and not from other sexually transmitted diseases such as, for example, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, or hepatitis.

Since PrEP only protects against HIV, condom use is still important for the protection against other STDs.

While taking PrEP, it is important to be followed up regularly by a doctor. The PreP is not reimbursed by the health insurance.