Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is medication that protects against HIV infection after possible exposure to the virus – directly from the blood, vaginal secretions or semen of an infected person, or through sexual contact with such a person. Remember – if you have had contact with an HIV-positive person but their viral load (amount of virus in the blood) is undetectable, you do not need PEP. Undetectable for 6 months = not infectious.

If you have been potentially exposed to the HIV virus, the medication should be taken preferably within 48 hours of exposure (exposure to the virus) and a maximum of 72 hours after exposure in situations of high and/or medium risk – such as sexual contact or other contact involving direct exposure to the blood, semen or vaginal secretions of an HIV-positive person or a person whose serological status is unknown. Our on-call doctor will try to respond to your message as soon as possible, but it will take no longer than 24 hours.

Along with the prescription you will receive an information sheet from our doctor explaining how to use PEP prophylaxis, indications and contraindications for its use, as well as a list of pharmacies in major cities across Poland that sell PEP – please note that we have no control over their stock and the medication may be temporarily unavailable.

The priority is to take the first dose of the drug and test the person with whom the high-risk contact occurred with a 4th generation HIV test – if the serological status of this person is unknown. The following tests should then be carried out in any laboratory:

• Blood Morphology;
• Creatinine Level in Blood;
• 4th Generation HIV Combo Test;
• Liver Function Tests;
• General Urine Test;
• HBs Antigen.

We also recommend additional tests, which are not necessary to obtain a prescription:

• VDRL (test for syphilis);
• PCR swabs for gonorrhea and chlamydia;
• Anti-HBs antibodies.

We emphasize that the priority is to take the first dose of the medication. Therefore, providing test results can be done later.

Each case is different, and a doctor’s qualification is needed to start PEP. It is based on the following information:

• Exact date and time of risky contact;
• Role (penetrated, penetrating);
• Type of contact (vaginal, anal, oral, or other);
• Whether a condom was used, and if so, whether it was used correctly;
• Serological status of the partner;
• Whether the partner belongs to a key population (men who have sex with men, sex workers, prisoners, transgender persons, people who inject drugs);
• Whether the person comes from a country with an HIV prevalence above 1%;
• Whether there are contraindications to using PEP (medications taken, coexisting diseases, allergies).