{"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":"2026-05-14T21:38:07","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T21:38:07","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":"
\n
\n\t

If you think you've been exposed to HIV and would like PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis), please call the Disease Prevention Hotline. The hotline number is 1-800-533-4148. The hotline operates Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm ET.\u00a0 It is important to start PEP within 72 hours.\u00a0 If you need immediate help outside hotline hours, please go to the nearest emergency room.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\n
\n\t

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) are HIV prevention strategies.\u00a0 They are medical interventions and public health approaches. They are used to prevent infection.\u00a0 Learn more about PrEP and PEP on this page.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

PrEP<\/h3>\n
\n\t

\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>

\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tLearn More\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

PEP<\/h3>\n
\n\t

\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.<\/p>\n

Typical uses for PEP include:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • \n
      \n
    • Having condom-less sex or with a person known to have HIV, or with a person of unknown HIV status<\/li>\n
    • Sharing a needle with a person known to have HIV, or with a person of unknown HIV status<\/li>\n
    • If you have been the victim of sexual assault<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      It is extremely important that PEP is started within 72 hours. This timeline starts after the incident has occurred.<\/p>\n

      PEP\u00a0can also be used for occupational HIV exposures.\u00a0\u00a0Local health departments do not distribute PEP for work-related exposures.\u00a0\u00a0VDH staff can still\u00a0assist\u00a0with resources or\u00a0counseling.\u00a0\u00a0You should follow your workplace post exposure protocol. This is important for your care to be covered by workers compensation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

      \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tLearn More\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

      \n\t\t\t\t\t\tProvider Resources\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
      <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
      \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>
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
      <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

      \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>
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
      <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

      \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>
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
      <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

      \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>

      \n
      \n\t

      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.<\/p>\n

      PrEP\/PEP Map Legend:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      • \n
          \n
        • Orange Square - PrEP offered as a pill (oral) or injectable<\/li>\n
        • Navy Blue Star - PrEP offered as a pill (oral)<\/li>\n
        • Gold Diamond - PrEP offered as a pill (oral) and PEP offered<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
          \n
          \n\t
          \n\n