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Key points

  • PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) can stop you from getting HIV after you might have come into contact with it.
  • PEP is a course of medicine taken for 28 days. You need to start taking PEP as soon as possible after the possible HIV exposure.
  • You can get PEP from a sexual health clinic. Explain that it’s an emergency if there aren't any appointments available.
  • It is best not to rely on PEP as a regular way of preventing HIV.

An information sheet about PEP for young people.

PEP stands for ‘post-exposure prophylaxis’ and is sometimes called PEPSE (post-exposure prophylaxis following sexual exposure). PEP is a short course of medicine that can stop you from getting HIV after you might have come into contact with it.

This page includes information about how to access PEP as a teenager.

This information was put together by Chiva, in collaboration with aidsmap and supported by a ViiV Healthcare grant.

Download the information sheet

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PEP
Abbey Stanford

Abbey Stanford

Editorial Consultant

Abbey is a freelance Health Editor who works on aidsmap's About HIV pages. She previously worked full time at aidsmap as an HIV Information Editor. She has also worked as a Specialist Health Editor for Bupa, creating and reviewing patient information, and at Flo Health, writing about menstrual health.

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