If you think you’ve been exposed to HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), it’s normal to feel scared and anxious. But don’t let fear stop you from getting help.
The most important thing you can do now is act quickly. There is a medication called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) that can help prevent HIV. It works best if you start it within 72 hours (three days) after possible exposure, ideally within the first 24 hours.
“Finding out you might have been exposed to HIV can be scary but taking action is the most powerful thing you can do for yourself right now,” said Jose Rodriguez-Garcia, MD, a family medicine and HIV specialist with Banner Health. “Getting help right away gives you options that can greatly lower your risk of getting HIV.”
Here’s what you need to know.
Don’t wait: The first 72 hours matter
If you think you may have been exposed to HIV, contact your doctor, care provider, urgent care center or emergency department right away.
A provider can:
- Assess whether your exposure puts you at risk for HIV
- Decide if PEP is appropriate for you
- Test you for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and hepatitis, when appropriate
- Create a follow-up plan
When should you seek care after possible HIV exposure?
Not every possible exposure requires PEP but only a health care provider can determine whether it’s recommended based on your situation.
Seek care right away if you’ve had a possible exposure, such as:
- A condom broke or slipped off during sex
- You had unprotected sex with someone whose HIV status is unknown
- You shared needles, syringes or other injection equipment
- You had an accidental needlestick injury
- You experienced a sexual assault
“What matters most is what you do next,” Dr. Rodriguez-Garcia said. “Having an open conversation with your doctor about your sexual history is one of the most empowering steps you can take. That conversation exists to help you, not judge you.”
What is PEP?
PEP is a 28-day course of HIV medication that can help prevent HIV after a possible exposure.
“PEP is an amazing tool in HIV prevention and studies show that starting it within 72 hours of exposure significantly reduces your risk,” Dr. Rodriguez-Garcia said. “The earlier you start, the stronger your protection.”
After 72 hours, the medication is no longer recommended because it has not been shown to work. The sooner PEP is started, the more effective it is.
What happens at your appointment?
Your visit will likely include:
- Questions about when and how the possible exposure happened
- An HIV test to establish your current status
- An evaluation to determine whether PEP is recommended
- Testing for other STIs and hepatitis, when appropriate
- Guidance about reducing your future HIV risk
Even if PEP isn’t recommended, your appointment is important.
Do you need HIV testing if you don’t have symptoms?
Yes. Many people with early HIV have no symptoms. Others may develop flu-like symptoms, such as fever, rash, sore throat or swollen lymph nodes. But symptoms alone cannot tell you whether you have HIV.
Don’t wait to see if symptoms appear before getting medical care. Be proactive and get tested.
Why do you need repeat HIV testing?
Even if your first test is negative, you’ll likely need follow-up testing. That’s because HIV tests have a window period, the time after exposure when the virus may not yet be detectable. Testing too early can miss an infection.
If you are prescribed PEP, you’ll take the medication for 28 days and then return for repeat testing afterward.
“Completing your PEP course and then retesting gives you the most accurate result,” Dr. Rodriguez-Garcia said. “It means you’re not leaving your health to chance.”
Your provider will tell you when to return for follow-up testing and any additional care you may need.
What if it’s been more than 72 hours?
“Missing the PEP window doesn’t mean you’ve run out of options,” Dr. Rodriguez-Garcia said. “It’s an opportunity to build a long-term prevention plan that works for your life.
You will still need:
- HIV testing
- Follow-up testing, if recommended
- Screening for other STIs and hepatitis, when appropriate
- Guidance about your HIV risk
- A discussion about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) if you have ongoing risk for HIV
Don’t let fear or stigma keep you from getting help
The fear and shame that can surround HIV are real but they should never stand between you and your health. Health care providers are there to help, not criticize your choices.
“You will be met with respect, compassion and absolutely no judgment,” Dr. Rodriguez-Garcia said. “Our only goal is to support you with honest information and a clear path forward. HIV is a medical condition and you deserve the same quality of care as anyone else.”
How to lower your risk in the future
Possible HIV exposure can be a chance to learn more about protecting your health in the future. Your provider can help you find prevention strategies that fit your lifestyle and level of risk.
Ways to lower your risk include:
- Use condoms correctly every time you have sex
- Ask your provider about PrEP
- Don’t share needles or injection equipment
- Get HIV and STI testing regularly
- Have open conversations with your partners
Bottom line
If you think you may have been exposed to HIV, don’t wait. Seek medical care as soon as possible. If it’s been less than 72 hours, you may be eligible for PEP, which can help prevent HIV when started quickly. Even if more time has passed, getting tested, discussing your risk and making a prevention plan can help protect your health now and in the future.
Schedule with a Banner Health specialist.
FAQs
What should I do first if I think I was exposed to HIV?
Seek medical care right away. Don’t wait. Ask your doctor about PEP, a medicine that may help prevent HIV after exposure. PEP works best when started as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours.
How long do I have to start PEP?
PEP must be started within 72 hours after a possible HIV exposure. It works best the sooner it is started.
Can I wait for symptoms before getting care?
No. Do not wait for symptoms. Many people have no early symptoms and PEP must be started quickly if it is needed.
Where can I get PEP?
You may be able to get PEP through an ER, urgent care, sexual health clinic or health care provider.
When should I test for HIV after exposure?
Test as soon as possible for a baseline result, then follow your provider’s repeat testing schedule because early tests may miss a recent infection.
What if I don’t know the other person’s HIV status?
Still seek care. A provider can help assess the type of exposure, timing and whether PEP or follow-up testing is recommended.
If my first HIV test is negative, does that mean I'm in the clear?
Not necessarily. HIV tests have a window period, which means the virus may not be detectable right after a possible exposure. Your provider will tell you when you should have repeat testing based on the type of test used and your situation.
What's the difference between PEP and PrEP?
PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is taken after a possible HIV exposure and must be started within 72 hours. PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is taken before possible exposures by people who may have an ongoing risk of HIV. When taken as prescribed, it is highly effective at preventing HIV.
Related articles:
- 10 Myths About HIV and AIDS and the Fact Behind Them
- My Sexual Health: The Important Screenings for Every Phase of Life
- 8 Common Myths About Condoms and the Facts You Should Know
