Recently exposed?

PEP (Post-Exposure Profylaxis)

If you have recently been exposed to HIV, you can start a treatment with antiretroviral medication. This treatment can prevent you from becoming HIV-positive. The treatment prevents the virus from penetrating the host cells that the virus needs in order to multiply.

PEP must be started as soon as possible after risky contact (maximum 72 hours). The faster the treatment is started, the better the outcome.

The treatment lasts a month and is prescribed by a doctor. Due to its severe side effects, PEP treatment is only started when the risk of HIV infection is high.

A doctor decides whether PEP treatment is required or not. This treatment doesn’t guarantee prevention of HIV infection.

For PEP-treatment, you can contact:

• The Institute of Tropical Medicine from Monday to Friday between 9 am, and 5 pm.
  Kronenburgstraat 43/3
  2000 Antwerpen
  Tel: 03 247 64 65
• Helpcenter on Monday, Thursday, Friday.
  Kronenburgstraat 43/3
  2000 Antwerpen
  Tel: 03 216 02 88
• Any other time: UZA (emergency ward), or Middelheim- or Stuivenberg hospitals