Post-exposure prophylaxis
From Free net encyclopedia
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is any treatment started immediately after exposure to a disease (such as a disease-causing virus), in order to prevent the disease from breaking out.
PEP is commonly used, and very effective, to prevent the outbreak of rabies after a bite by a rabid animal. The treatment consists of repeated injections of rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin.
Post-exposure prophylaxis is a course of antiretroviral drugs which is also thought to reduce the risk of seroconversion after high risk exposure (e.g. unprotected anal or vaginal sex, needlestick injuries, or sharing needles) to HIV. To be effective, it must be started as soon as possible after exposure and no later than 72 hours. The treatment for HIV lasts four weeks. While there is compelling data to suggest that PEP after HIV exposure is extremely effective, there have been cases where it has failed. The regimen can be very demanding and have unpleasant side effects including diarrhoea, headaches, nausea and vomiting. According to one Australian study, two thirds of people taking PEP experienced mild to moderate side effects and one quarter of people taking PEP experienced severe side effects.