PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) means using an antiviral drug to prevent HIV after a possible exposure.
PEP should be used only in emergency situations and must be started within 72 hours after a recent possible exposure to HIV.
PEP works by stopping the virus from replicating after recent exposure.
PEP involves a 4-week course of HIV treatment that helps prevent someone from HIV infection.
The cells originally infected with HIV die naturally within a short period of time after PEP.
This reduces the likelihood for an overwhelming infection of HIV.
The failure of the initial PEP dosage may already start a HIV infection.
Missing a single dose in a 28-day course will have a negligible impact.
However, missing a dose more frequently can render the PEP medication ineffective, then the patient must undergo HAART(Highly active antiretroviral therapy).