PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis) emergency treatment against HIV
It is an emergency treatment with retroviral medicines against HIV. It reduces the risk of a possible HIV infection and prevents the virus from spreading in the body.
It must be started at the latest within 48 hours of exposure to risk (unprotected intercourse with vaginal or anal penetration, condom rupture, oral receptive intercourse with ejaculation, seropositive partner who has a detectable or unknown viremia). It is a heavy treatment which must be taken for 4 weeks under medical supervision.
PEP, however, protects only from HIV and not from other sexually transmitted diseases such as, for example, gonorrhea, chlamydia, lymphoid or hepatitis.
If you have had a risk relationship, contact the emergency room of the hospital closest to you as soon as possible to assess the risk and the possible need to take PEP.
PrEP: pre-exposure prophylaxis
PrEP is a drug-based prevention strategy used by people without HIV who have a high risk of contracting the virus due to their sexual behavior.
This therapy significantly reduces the risk of infection by preventing the virus from reproducing in the body. If used correctly, PrEP can practically eliminate the risk of getting HIV infection.
However, PrEP protects only from HIV and not from other sexually transmitted diseases such as, for example, gonorrhea, chlamydia, lymphoid or hepatitis.
When taking PrEP, it is important to be followed up regularly by a doctor. PreP is not reimbursed by the health insurance company.
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You see https://www.aids.ch/it/domande/protezione-rischio/prep.php for more information.