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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
HIV

PrEP and PEP

HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (or PrEP) is when people at very high risk for HIV take HIV medicines daily to lower their chances of becoming infected. PrEP can stop HIV from taking hold and spreading throughout your body. It is highly effective for preventing HIV if used as prescribed, but it is much less effective when not taken consistently.

PrEP Guidelines for Providers

From 2017-2021, the Native population was the only racial or ethnic group of people to see an increase in new HIV diagnoses. A simple but powerful tool called HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) can effectively prevent someone from acquiring HIV when taken or administered as prescribed. HIV PrEP has been approved for over a decade, but far too few people are currently taking it. To address this, IHS has released three simplified HIV PrEP policies that may be used as a guide for providers, nurses and pharmacists that make it easier than ever to offer HIV PrEP to eligible individuals on-demand.

HIV PrEP Appendix [PDF - 674 KB]

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for the Prevention of HIV Infection in the United States (2021 Update) [PDF - 1.6 MB] Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  - This version updates the review of scientific evidence on the safety and efficacy of antiretroviral HIV PrEP. In addition, this update includes guidance for recommended initial and follow-up STI screening, revised HIV testing strategies, and recommended primary care practices for patients prescribed oral or injectable PrEP.

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HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

Post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP, is a way to prevent HIV infection after a recent possible exposure to the virus.

Post Exposure prophylaxis is offered for sexual exposure and injection drug exposure only if treatment can be started within 72 hours of exposure. Prompt evaluation by a provider is strongly recommended to start treatment before this time interval has passed.

Recommendations for HIV prevention with adults and adolescents with HIV in the United States Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  - CDC, 2014

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