HIV Exposure or Potential Exposure

Goal - why is this important to us?

Prevent the spread of HIV and to avoid the creation of a new barrier to recovery.

Ingredients - what do I need to get started?

Phone

Timeframe - about how long will this take?

10 minutes to several hours

Contacts - who do I need to let know?

Your coordinator

Steps - what do I do?

If client is HIV-negative or does not know their HIV status, and in the last 72 hours-

• think they may have been exposed to HIV during sex (for example, if the condom broke),
• shared needles and works to prepare drugs (for example, cotton, cookers, water), or
• were sexually assaulted, have client immediately contact their primary care provider about Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) or go an emergency room right away.

Starting PEP as soon as possible after a potential HIV exposure is important. Research has shown that PEP has little or no effect in preventing HIV infection if it is started later than 72 hours after HIV exposure.

Follow-up - what loose ends do I need to wrap up?

• Check in with client to see if medical care was received.
• If client was prescribed PEP, check in to see if the prescription was filled and if client needs accountability assistance to remember to take the medication and do so as prescribed.