Dr. Pratyush Kumar

PEP and PrEP sound similar, but they are used in very different situations. The easiest way to remember the difference is simple: PEP is taken after a possible HIV exposure. PrEP is taken before future exposures. Both use antiretroviral medicines, but neither should be started without appropriate medical guidance and HIV testing. WHAT IS PEP? PEP stands for post-exposure prophylaxis. “Post-exposure” means after a possible exposure has already happened. PEP is an emergency treatment that must...

Many people take an HIV test immediately after a possible exposure and feel relieved when the result is negative. Unfortunately, a very early negative test may not provide a final answer. Every HIV test has a window period. Understanding this period can prevent unnecessary confusion and help you test at the right time. WHAT IS THE HIV WINDOW PERIOD? The window period is the time between a possible HIV exposure and the point when a test can reliably detect the infection. No HIV test can detect...

A possible exposure to HIV can cause fear and confusion. However, you should not panic or waste time searching for symptoms. An emergency treatment called PEP, or post-exposure prophylaxis, may reduce the risk of HIV when it is started promptly. If the exposure happened during the last 72 hours, contact a qualified doctor or emergency medical service immediately. WHAT IS PEP? PEP means taking HIV medicines after a possible exposure to prevent the virus from establishing an infection. PEP is...