PEP (post exposure prophylaxis) is a treatment given persons within 72 hours of possible exposure, who gets exposed to HIV infection. By this process one can be prevented from becoming HIV positive. As, an HIV positive remains positive for life. In such cases one has to continue anti-retroviral drugs for life. Till date there is no medication that can eradicate this virus from body when body is HIV positive. So if one gets exposed to HIV infection, this PEP treatment come into play. This treatment is started within 72 hours of possible exposure of HIV infection and the course of medication is for 28-30 days. This treatment includes set of anti-retroviral drugs that is to be continued for 28-30 days without any discontinuation.
Two types of PEP therapy are there- nPEP (non-occupational PEP) and oPEP (occupational PEP). In both the cases PEP treatment is indicated after possible exposure to HIV infection. And follow-up testing is done at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks. By implementing this treatment plan by PEP specialist, the invasion of HIV infection into the circulatory system is prevented.
HIV infection exposure can be due to many reasons like, sexual intercourse with anonymous or having multiple partners, bisexual activities, any needle prick, repetition of single needle use by drug abuse persons, blood contamination and exposure during accidents, and in case of sexual assault. The collapse of immune cells of immune system specifically T-lymphocytes, CD3, CD4 and CD8 cells makes body vulnerable to opportunistic infections and thus resulting in difficult and compromised immune system.
PEP treatment is the treatment indicated within 72 hours of possible HIV exposure. Dr. Vinod Raina is a well-known PEP specialist in Delhi. His center SAFE HANDS is a complete home for the PEP treatment in Delhi. You can visit him at SAFE HANDS, C/O Dr. Vinod Raina, E-34 Ekta apartments, Saket, near Malviya Nagar Metro Station, New Delhi, 110017.