A condom breaks, you had sex without one, or you are not sure about a partner’s status. It is normal to feel anxious. The most useful thing you can do is act quickly and calmly, because post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) has a limited window.

Why the clock matters

PEP is a 28-day course of HIV medicines. It must start within 72 hours of the exposure, and it works best the sooner it is started. After 72 hours, PEP is no longer recommended.

Step by step

  1. Note the time of the exposure. The clinic will ask.
  2. Contact a clinic today. Walk in, message or call; don’t wait until Monday.
  3. Have a short consultation. A doctor assesses your risk in private.
  4. Take a baseline HIV test, plus any other blood tests your doctor recommends.
  5. Take the first dose at the clinic and leave with the rest of your course.

What not to do

  • Don’t wait to “see if symptoms appear”. PEP is about prevention, before any symptoms.
  • Don’t take leftover pills from a friend. PEP needs a prescription and a baseline test.
  • Don’t skip doses. Take the full 28 days, even if you feel fine.

After you finish

You will need follow-up HIV tests, usually around 4–6 weeks and again at 3 months after the exposure. If you are likely to be exposed again, ask about PrEP.

If it has been less than 72 hours, the best time to start PEP is now.