Is PEP Treatment Advisable 24 Hours After Exposure?

Posted on Thu, 14 May 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 14 May 2015 Answered on

Wed, 3 Jun 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I recently had intercourse with a young lady who works as a stripper and at some point the condom we were using came off inside her. She of course told me she was recently tested and is tested regularly, however, there is still a risk, even if she is being honest. What I am wondering is if it is worth doing the PEP treatment as it has been less than 24 hours since exposure, or is the relative risk of exposure not worth the possible harm from the PEP? I am really concerned.

Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (-5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
take the PEP

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for your question,
I think in this situation it is definitely worth taking the post exposure prophylaxis. Any sexual contact with sex workers is high risk and warrants PEP treatment. It is much easier to take the PEP than to deal with treating HIV if you do become positive. I suggest that you take the PEP and get tested now and again in 3-6 months just to make sure that you are negative.
Regards,
Dr. Robinson
feel free to contact me directly in future as needed at
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-kathy-robinson/69109

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar