Go to Content Go to Navigation Go to Navigation Go to Site Search Homepage

Accidents Happen.
HIV Doesn't Have To.

PEP is a daily pill taken for 28 days to prevent HIV after exposure. Make an appointment within 72 hours of exposure to see if PEP is right for you. 

Make an Appointment

Worried you may have been exposed to HIV?

It happens. HIV doesn't have to. Take PEP within 72 hours to stay HIV-negative. 

Have questions? Call our center.A right arrow in a circle
What is PEP?

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is a 28-day daily pill regimen that prevents HIV infection after coming into contact with HIV. Much like emergency contraception is taken to prevent pregnancy, PEP is an emergency medicine that can stop HIV infection if taken as soon as possible.

It must be taken within 72 hours after potential contact. It reduces your risk of contracting HIV by 80%.

Who is PEP for?

PEP is for HIV-negative people who may have been exposed to HIV through sex in the last 72 hours. For example, sex without a condom or sex during which the condom broke. 

PEP can also help if you were a victim of sexual assault or exposed to HIV due to injection drug use. It must be taken within 72 hours after contact with HIV.

PEP in Metro D.C.

D.C. ranks 12th in new HIV cases with a rate of 21.5 new diagnoses for every 100,000 residents. HIV rates in Prince George's County, MD are rising, which is unusual compared to surrounding counties. 

This puts folks who have unprotected sex in the D.C. metro area at elevated risk for HIV. PEP can reduce your risk of contracting HIV after exposure by 80%.

Make an appointment TODAY.

Call our health center at 202-347-8512 to make an appointment at our D.C. health center. Your appointment will include an HIV test and PEP counseling. 

Reminder: You should take PEP as soon as possible after possible exposure to HIV. You must start the regimen within 72 hours of exposure. 

PrEP: Preventive pill before exposure
PEP: Emergency pill after exposure

PEP is a post-exposure prevention method that’s used after you may have been exposed to HIV. If you’ve recently taken PEP after being exposed to HIV, consider adding PrEP to your daily routine. PEP depends on you being able to determine that you may have been exposed to HIV within 72 hours of sexual contact and access care. PrEP is a pre-exposure prevention method which means that you’re constantly protected, before exposure to HIV even happens! PrEP is a once-daily pill regimen that is a more effective means of protecting yourself from HIV.

Learn more about PrEP

Want some advice now?

Get live answers from a free Planned Parenthood expert.

Chat is staffed by PPFA's health educators, not doctors or nurses. They can offer advice about next steps and answer your questions about PEP. 

Chat here