What is HIV/Aids? Is HIV/AIDS a common infection? What are the symptoms of HIV/AIDS ? How is HIV transmitted? HIV/AIDS and pregnancy HIV/AIDS in the newborn How is HIV/AIDS diagnosed? Is there a treatment for HIV/AIDS ? How can people infected with HIV lower the risk of spreading the virus? How can I prevent infection by HIV/AIDS? If you have been exposed or potentially exposed to HIV... What to do? — Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) What does the future hold? When can we expect a vaccine against HIV/AIDS? Links and References

See a doctor as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours and no later than 72 hours. After assessing the risk, the doctor may prescribe a triple therapy treatment for a period of one month, if required.

• Consult a physician familiar with PEP protocols;
• Remember that timing is critical when considering the use of PEP treatment – ideally the sooner you consult, the better. The sooner medications are started, the better. Most clinicians are in agreement that when greater than 72 hours has elapsed since sexual contact – the benefits of a prophylactic treatment are likely lost. The best scenario is when consultation occurs immediately after the accident/event or within 24 hours;
• Your physician will evaluate your level of risk, your ability to take and tolerate medications and when appropriate will recommend a triple-therapy. The decision to ultimately take medications remains your own. Your physician will assist you in arriving at the best situation for you;
• Treatment is for 4 weeks. Again, this is definitely not the morning-after pill;
• Strict follow-up is important during and after the treatment, so as to ensure that side-effects to medications remain manageable. Follow-up and blood tests during the treatment period are critical in the prevention of serious medication related side effects;
• An HIV test will be done on the day of consultation, at 1 month and at 3 months time. This so as to confirm your HIV status at the beginning, during treatment and once the test eclipse period has passed;
• Ideally, the more you know about your partner (medication history, laboratory results, successes or failures with respect to treatment) – the better in tailoring the PEP treatment for success in the prevention of infection by HIV.