PEP

PEP is an emergency form of treatment which aims to reduce your risk of becoming infected with HIV after a potential exposure to HIV.

PEP involves a 4 week course of HIV treatment that helps prevent someone from HIV infection.

PEP is for anyone who thinks they may have been exposed to HIV. Some of the most common reasons for needing PEP medication include:

Having condomless anal sex or if the condom breaks/slips off during sex with someone who has or may have HIV and is not on HIV treatment.
Sharing needles or syringes with a person who has or may have HIV

Take action!

If you believe you’ve been exposed to HIV, you should start PEP as soon as possible, ideally within a few hours after the risk event. If it is not started within 72 hours (3 days) of exposure to HIV it is likely that the drug will be ineffective.

You can access PEP for free from your nearest sexual health clinic or A E department.

Your other options

Condoms

Condoms are the number one way of protecting yourself from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea, syphilis, viral hepatitis and chlamydia.

Learn More About Condoms

Testing

Most HIV transmission occurs from people who think they are HIV negative, but are living with undiagnosed HIV. This is because when someone is diagnosed, they are offered treatment soon after which reduces the virus to clinically undetectable and untransmittable levels.

Learn More About Testing

Talking

To safely stop using condoms within your relationship, you need to be able to talk openly and honestly with each other about why you want to do it, what the potential benefits and risks might be, the ground rules for sex inside and outside (if any) the relationship and how you’ll deal with any problems that may arise.

Learn More About Talking

U=U

Being HIV positive and having an undetectable viral load means you won’t pass on HIV to your partners. When a HIV positive person takes their treatment, within 6 months, they can become undetectable.

Learn More About U=U

PrEP

PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a medicine for HIV negative people. It is a pill taken before sex to protect the transmission of HIV.

Learn More About PrEP

Emergency Support

0330 128 1186

Free & confidential sexual health services for Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities

Visit BHA for Equality Website

0161 274 4499

Free & confidential support, advice and advocacy services for people living with HIV

Visit George House Trust Website

0345 3 30 30 30

Providing advice, support and resources for LGBT people to take control of their sexual health and wellbeing

Visit LGBT Foundation Website