Aaron is HIV positive. He takes his antiretroviral drugs regularly in order to keep his viral load low.

When it comes to dating, Aaron is open about his status and always tells his partners before they have sex. Usually, Aaron and his partners wear condoms. Some of Aaron’s partners take PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) as prescribed in order to prevent getting HIV even without the use of condoms.

One day, Aaron and a guy he met on Grindr, Ryan, decided to hook up. Ryan was not on PrEP so they practiced safe sex by having Aaron wear a condom. However, they realized afterwards that the condom broke during penetration.

What should they do?

We are luckier these days than before. While there is still no cure for HIV, the treatment for this virus is already quite advanced in comparison to even a few years ago. Aaron knew that Ryan did not have to be infected even though the condom broke (something that might happen during sex whether you are gay or straight) and he was not on PrEP.

Statistically, Ryan would still not get HIV because Aaron takes his medication regularly and his viral load is undetectable. However, just to be sure, Aaron immediately contacted his clinic and later took Ryan there so the medical providers could prescribe PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis).

Ryan took his first dose no later than 72 hours after the condom incident and continued to do so for the next 28 days. After taking PEP as prescribed, Ryan later took a test and his HIV status remained negative.

What is PEP? Is it safe to use? Where do we get it? In this article, we will discuss PEP and how to access them in Chiang Mai.

What is PEP?

PEP is a medication taken after a possible exposure to HIV to avoid the virus developing and multiplying in your body. PEP is short for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis. “Post” means after “exposure”, or a situation where HIV potentially enters someone’s body (for example, sex without a condom or by sharing needles). Prophylaxis means prevention of disease

You might have heard about PrEP before. PrEP is different because it is taken before engaging in any risky behavior that might expose you to HIV.

In Aaron and Ryan’s case, the decision to take PEP was made in order to further ensure that Ryan, who at the time of the exposure was not taking PrEP, would not get HIV. Aaron’s undetectable viral load should be enough to guarantee that he would not pass the virus to anybody.

In other cases, condoms may break when you have sex with someone who does not even know their HIV status. In the heat of the moment, people may be careless (we are humans, after all) and do not wear condoms or take other precautions when having sex with a stranger.

For people who inject drugs, there is a chance of getting infected with HIV when they share needles with other people. Sometimes even medical workers, such as nurses, can accidentally inject themselves with a needle when treating patients who are living with HIV.

In general, PEP contains three kinds of antiretroviral drugs (the same drugs that are taken by people who are living with HIV). These drugs can be included in one tablet only or perhaps more depending on the doctor’s prescriptions.

As YOUR healthcare provider in Chiang Mai, our doctors at HUGSA Medical will decide the right formula for you.

When should I get PEP?

Please make an appointment with your doctors at HUGSA Medical as soon as possible after the exposure that has put you at risk of contracting HIV (for example, the condom broke). The first dose of PEP needs to be taken within 72 hours after the possible exposure. The more you wait, the bigger the chance that PEP will not work effectively.

The following are some of the possible scenarios where you might want to contact your healthcare provider in order to take PEP.

• You are not on PrEP and you have sex with someone, who may be HIV positive without a condom
• You are not on PrEP and you have sex with someone, who may be HIV positive, with a condom, but the condom breaks
• You have an unprotected sex with someone who does not know their HIV status
• You have been sexually assaulted or raped
• You have an unprotected sex while you were high on drugs and/or share needles while injecting drugs

How do I get PEP?

Here at HUGSA Medical, we understand that every hour counts after a possible exposure to HIV since PEP needs to be taken within 72 hours after the exposure. Please do not hesitate to contact us. Our healthcare workers are expertly trained to listen to our patients without any judgment.

During consultation with one of our doctors at the clinic, you can be open and share the possible exposure that has taken place. You will have to take an HIV test in order to ensure that you are HIV negative. This is a standard test that you should take because PEP can only work for someone if their HIV status is negative.

The doctor might want to run some tests to see if you have other sexually transmitted diseases that need to be treated. Your liver and kidney function will also need to be checked in order to make sure your body is prepared to take PEP daily for 28 days in a row.

After 1 to 3 months, you will take another HIV test to measure the effectiveness of the PEP regimen.

Sean recently got exposed to HIV after having sex with someone who is living with the virus. He said that he immediately searched the Internet for a local medical clinic and found HUGSA Medical.

“I emailed them and asked for prices and an appointment. I talked to the doctor who spoke pretty good English and I told him enough about what was going on for him to get the picture,” he said.

The doctor later recommended three choices of medication with varying side effects and prices and Sean chose the one with the least side effects. He later took an HIV test as well as liver function examination before getting the medication.

“I took the course of 30 days and got the blood test at the end and I was all clear of HIV.”

Read other interesting articles.

• What is a medical certificate?
• PrEP in Chiang Mai

Is PEP expensive?

The most expensive PEP regimen at HUGSA Medical is just below THB5000 but there are also other options. Here at HUGSA Medical, we will guide you to find the best formula for your PEP regiment and we also have different payment options.

Are there any side effects while taking PEP?

Generally speaking, PEP will not cause any serious side effects and it is scientifically proven to be safe for the body. Some negative side effects that may appear include nausea, lightheadedness, fatigue, and diarrhea but they will usually go away within a few days.

Is PEP effective?

PEP prevents HIV infections with an 80 percent success rate, according to research. PEP can only work effectively, however, if taken as prescribed with the first dose taken within 72 hours. Please bear in mind that PEP should be taken daily for 28 days in a row and missing a single dose puts you at risk of reducing the regimen’s protection within your body against HIV.

Can I take PEP forever?

It should be noted that PEP should only be considered as an emergency prevention of getting HIV infection. If you want to protect yourself from getting HIV, we recommend you take PrEP instead. You can find more details about PrEP in the PrEP section of our website.

Contact Us Here

Our Numbers
Tel: +66 (0)93 309 9988
Or add Line id @hugsaclinic
Open Daily 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Our Address:
77/7 Kochasan Road Chang Khlan Sub-district
Mueang Chiangmai Thailand 50100
Google Map: https://g.page/hugsa-medical?share
Website: https://cmmedicalclinic.com
Booking Online: https://hugsa.youcanbook.me
Email Address: hugsamedical@gmail.com