I hadn't heard about PEP411.com before this video, but it's quite wonderful. This video is aimed at young Black men, detailing how you can get your hands on post-exposure prophylaxis within 36 hours after a potential exposure to HIV. The sooner the better, theoretically, though the science behind the timing is somewhat murky. What we do know for sure, however, is that when begun soon after exposure, it can dramatically reduce your odds of serconversion. The drugs are essentially a cocktail of anti-retrovirals, just like those prescribed to HIV-positive people. Taken immediately after exposure, it is thought that the drugs are able to inhibit the virus from taking hold of your immune system.
Here's the video:
Although I will note that the video states that "limiting your number of sexual partners" reduces your HIV risk. I resent and disagree with this widespread assertion, and believe it is this prevention message that has led some men to the idea that boyfriends are "safety zones" from infection. A recent modeling study estimated that the majority of new infections in major metro areas among MSM today are the result of sex with primary partners.
Hey Cyd! Thanks very much for your question - I think it actually highlights the "murkiness" of the timing that I referred to in the post. I've seen 36 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours all mentioned as the upper limit of the advised timing.
The science behind PEP is indeed a bit murky - and it bears explaining why. Essentially, doing a randomized control trial of PEP to test this timing issue on humans would be unethical (as you can imagine!). As I understand it, what we know about the timing comes from studies with primates who were injected with SIV (their equivalent of HIV) and subsequently started on PEP for different lengths of time. The one-month advisement comes directly from these studies. You can find a review of that literature here and here
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I like any effort to advertize PEP but why is it saying that it needs to be taken in 34 hours? In California it's 72?
Hey Cyd! Thanks very much for your question - I think it actually highlights the "murkiness" of the timing that I referred to in the post. I've seen 36 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours all mentioned as the upper limit of the advised timing.
The science behind PEP is indeed a bit murky - and it bears explaining why. Essentially, doing a randomized control trial of PEP to test this timing issue on humans would be unethical (as you can imagine!). As I understand it, what we know about the timing comes from studies with primates who were injected with SIV (their equivalent of HIV) and subsequently started on PEP for different lengths of time. The one-month advisement comes directly from these studies. You can find a review of that literature here and here