With the day and age we live in, the reality of contracting HIV, even accidentally is a serious and real thing. Fortunately though, there are means of protecting yourself, once you understand that you may have come into contact with the virus and could have been infected.


In instances such as accidently pricking yourself with a needle that has been used to take blood at a workplace, having unprotected sex with an infected person or in a more serious case, having tragically experienced a rape, Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may be administered to lower your chances of becoming infected.
PEP, which involves a course of treatment with antiretroviral drugs, should be started as soon as possible, preferably within 2 hours. The sooner you take the drugs, the better your chances of having a negative result. Most experts agree that PEP should still be given up to 72 hours after exposure, but beyond this time, it is probably not beneficial.
In cases of occupational exposure, the potentially infected person will receive a combination of AZT (retrovir) 200 mg drugs, every eight hours and 3TC (lamivudine) 100 mg drugs every twelve hours for 28 days after an HIV exposure. In some circumstances, a third drug such as Indinavir is added to the treatment, all of which should be managed by an experienced health professional.
In the case of a rape, there might be microscopic or even visible tearing of the vagina or anus, which gives the virus easier access to the tissue and bloodstream. A minimum of AZT 200 mg drugs every eight hours or 300 mg every 12 hours should be administered for 28 days after this type of HIV exposure. At some centres, additional drugs, such as 3TC, may be used. It is also important to take an antibiotic against other STD’s such as Syphillis and Gonorrhoea.
Most large hospitals and clinics have these drugs available for these purposes. In South Africa, the Department of Health has recently agreed that HIV PEP should be given to people who have been raped. Now most hospitals and clinics should have antiretroviral drugs available for this purpose. In practice, this might not always be the case, so a person who has experienced rape may need to seek help at a specific rape centre.
Once you have taken these steps, administer your drugs correctly and efficiently. During the trial time, you are bound to stress about the success of the treatment. Keep reminding yourself that by taking the medication accurately, your chances of contracting HIV are five times lower than someone who didn’t take PEP. Once you’ve undergone the treatment and been signaled the green light from your GP, have yourself tested as soon as possible. Refrain from having unprotected sex before you have received the results of your tests.