PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis) can be a savior in an emergency when things don’t according to plan, like a condom splitting.
PEP is a relatively effective treatment that reduces the risk of HIV being transmitted, but it does not offer 100 % protection. PEP can be given if an HIV negative has had unprotected sex with an HIV positive person in the past 36 hours. Swedish guidelines require the sexual partner to be known to live with HIV and have undetectable viral load. This means access to PEP is highly restricted. Nonetheless, it may be worthwhile to seek PEP if you have been exposed to a risky situation. The sooner you get PEP, the better. The PEP treatment is not a single pill but a 30-day treatment. Afterwards you are recommended to get tested after six weeks, 12 weeks and 6 months.
PEP treatment is available at Venhälsan at Södersjukhuset and at the ER at Karolinska Sjukhuset in Huddinge.
