*Imagine this;* You had unprotected sex and found out the person is HIV positive, 24 hours after it happened. What would you do next?😱 *Breaking the terms down.* *What is HIV?* *HIV* (Human Inmunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 cells. These cells are important for fighting off infections. If HIV is not detected on time, it can lead to AIDS. *AIDS* (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), is a condition where the immune is severely weakened. It makes the body vulnerable to all kinds of infections. *How is HIV transmitted?* It is primarily transmitted through contact with body fluids of an infected person. - Unprotected sexual intercourse - Sharing needles or syringes - From mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding - Through blood transfusions or organ transplants (rare). N.b There’s no cure for HIV/AIDS. Now, let’s talk about PEP and PrEP PEP - Post exposure prophylaxis. PEP is an emergency treatment that can prevent HIV infection after possible exposure to the virus. It is used in urgent situations, like the one we imagined earlier. When do you take PEP? • PEP should be started within 72 hours (3 days) after potential exposure to HIV. The sooner it’s started, the better. 24 hours is ideal. What does it entail? PEP is taken everyday for 28days. It is a 3- medication combination that is highly effective when started immediately. Time is very critical in PEP. PrEP - Pre exposure prophylaxis PrEP, on the other hand, is a preventive treatment for people at high risk of contracting the virus. This means PrEP is taken before exposure to the virus to reduce the risk of infection. When to take PrEP? • PrEP is taken by HIV negative people at high risk. Eg - Someone with an HIV-positive partner, or multiple sexual partners. What does it involve? It involves taking a 2-medication pill daily. When taken consistently, there’s a 90% chance of preventing HIV from sex and 70% from injectable drug use. What you’d do in the imagined scenario, is rush to the nearest hospital and ask for PEP. What other situations require PEP? - If a condom breaks during intercourse with an unknown person - If someone has been assaulted sexually - If you have a needle stick injury as a medic - If you shared needles and syringes with an unknown person - If there was direct exposure of open wound to blood of an infected person - In emergency cases In today’s world, knowledge is power, and prevention is everything. If you think you’ve been exposed to HIV, don’t panic Seek medical help immediately. If you’re at risk of contracting the virus, talk to your health provider as well about how to stay protected. - Avoid sexual intercourse with multiple partners - Carry out tests regularly - Use condoms - Abstain.