{"id":442,"date":"2016-01-21T13:09:29","date_gmt":"2016-01-21T13:09:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/epidemiology\/?page_id=442"},"modified":"2026-03-11T17:54:44","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T17:54:44","slug":"prep-and-npep","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/prep-and-npep\/","title":{"rendered":"PrEP and PEP"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) are HIV prevention strategies.\u00a0 They are medical interventions and public health approaches used to prevent infection.\u00a0 Please read below to learn more about PrEP and PEP.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

PrEP<\/h3>\n
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\u201cPrEP\u201d stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis.\u00a0 The word \u201cprophylaxis\u201d means to prevent or control, as in the spread of an infection or disease. \u00a0An example is using a condom to prevent pregnancy or STDs.\u00a0 The goal of PrEP is to prevent HIV infection from taking hold if you are exposed to the virus.\u00a0 This is done by taking one pill at the same time every day.\u00a0 PrEP is also available as an injectable.\u00a0 These are some of the same medicines used to keep the virus under control in people who are already living with HIV.\u00a0 It is most effective when used with other prevention strategies such as condoms.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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PEP<\/h3>\n
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\u201cPEP\u201d stands for Post Exposure Prophylaxis.\u00a0 As the term suggests, the goal of PEP is to prevent HIV infection after you have been exposed to the virus.\u00a0 Having condom-less sex or sharing a needle with a person known to have HIV, or unknown HIV status, or in the case of sexual assault are typical uses for PEP.\u00a0 It is important to know that the medications used for PEP must be started within 72 hours after the incident occurred to be effective.<\/p>\n

PEP\u00a0<\/span>can also be used for occupational HIV exposures<\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Local health districts do not distribute PEP for work-related exposures<\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>VDH s<\/span>taff can still\u00a0<\/span>assist<\/span>\u00a0with resources or\u00a0<\/span>counselin<\/span>g<\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>It is recommended that you follow your workplace post exposure protocol for your care to be covered by workers compensation.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tHIV and PrEP\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFind HIV prevention and PrEP resources such as the PrEP Clinic Resource Manual and CDC Clinical Practice Guidelines\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tSTDs\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSTD resources such as surveillance reports, screening recommendations, treatment guidelines, and more\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tViral Hepatitis\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPatient education materials, MMWR publications, CDC recommendations, and more\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Find PrEP Services Near you!<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Interested in PrEP?\u00a0 Find a location near you where you can get the pill or shot for HIV prevention.\u00a0 Use our PrEP Google Site Map below.<\/p>\n

For more information about PrEP services at any of these sites please call VDH at (804) 314-3619 during regular business hours.\u00a0 If you need help with nPEP because you might have been exposed to HIV, call our hotline at 1-800-533-4148 during regular business hours.<\/p>\n

Please note:\u00a0<\/strong>if you are a Virginia state employee viewing this page you may have issues viewing the site map if you have your agency profile logged into the browser.\u00a0 Open this page in a new browser or log your profile out for the map to load accurately.\u00a0 State employees needing additional help accessing the site map, please email Chris Barnett<\/strong> at christopher.barnett@vdh.virginia.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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