PEP is an emergency treatment that can prevent an HIV infection after a risky moment. It must start as soon as possible, and within 72 hours at the latest. If you think you were at risk, do not wait: call the GGD, your GP or accident and emergency right away. An STI test comes afterwards, for follow-up.
This is the one topic where speed truly comes before everything. So read this heading first.
Within how many hours must PEP start?
PEP works best when it begins within a few hours of the risk, and it must always start within 72 hours. After that it no longer helps. The sooner, the better: every hour counts. According to the RIVM, that 72-hour limit is firm.
So: if you were at risk last night or this morning, arrange help today. Not tomorrow.
What is PEP exactly?
PEP stands for post-exposure prophylaxis: protection after possible exposure. It is a course of HIV medicines that you take for several weeks. The idea behind it is to slow the virus before it can take hold.
That principle comes from practice and from research. A classic study among health-care workers after a needlestick injury (Cardo et al., New England Journal of Medicine, 1997) showed that acting quickly could lower the risk of HIV infection. PEP is therefore an emergency measure, not a replacement for prevention beforehand.
Where do you get PEP?
You arrange PEP through the GGD, your GP, or outside office hours via accident and emergency or the GP out-of-hours service. Soa Aids Nederland has an overview of where you can go. Do not wait for an appointment days away: with PEP you call immediately.
If calling feels hard or you are not sure what to say, keep it simple. Say that you may have been at risk of HIV and that you are asking about PEP; that is enough to get the conversation going. The person on the line knows the situation and will help you further.
| Moment | What you do |
|---|---|
| 0 to 72 hours after the risk | Call right away: GGD, GP or A&E. The PEP course can start. |
| During the course (several weeks) | Take pills consistently, check-ups as the doctor advises. |
| After the course | HIV test for follow-up, often around 4 to 12 weeks. |
| Other STIs | Check separately; PEP does not protect against those. |
This timeline is a guide. Your doctor sets the exact schedule that fits you.
What happens after the PEP course?
After the course comes follow-up. An HIV test shows whether the treatment worked, and that test needs its own waiting time to be reliable. How that window period works is explained in how long after unprotected sex can you test for STIs?.
You can do your follow-up HIV test anonymously with us using an HIV test. Just remember: testing is the follow-up, not the first thing you do. Call first, test later.
PEP or PrEP: what is the difference?
In short: PEP is the emergency measure afterwards, PrEP is the protection beforehand. If you are at risk more often, PrEP is frequently a calmer solution than repeated PEP. For that, read what is PrEP and who is it for?, and see the wider choice in our guide on which STI test you need, and when.
My level-headed advice: use PEP for what it is meant to be, an emergency brake. If you would rather never need it again, look into whether PrEP suits you.
Frequently asked questions about PEP
Is PEP the same as the morning-after pill? No. The morning-after pill prevents pregnancy, PEP is meant to prevent an HIV infection. They are two completely different medicines for different situations.
Does PEP also work against other STIs? No, PEP targets HIV. Other STIs need a separate check, usually a few weeks after the risk. PEP and STI testing therefore complement each other.
What if the 72 hours are almost up? Call right away anyway. The sooner the better, and your doctor judges whether starting still makes sense. Waiting only lowers the chance.
Does everyone who asks get PEP? Not automatically. A doctor assesses the risk and decides whether a course is appropriate. That is why the quick conversation matters so much.
Does PEP have side effects? Some people notice mild complaints during the course, such as nausea or tiredness. Discuss complaints with your doctor and do not simply stop the course on your own.
Every STI result we provide is assessed by a BIG-registered doctor. PrEP and PEP are medicines arranged through the GGD or your GP; always discuss starting, stopping and your check-ups with them.
Want to know more about reliability, the window period and anonymous testing? Read our HIV test guide.
Sources
- RIVM, HIV
- Soa Aids Nederland, PEP
- Thuisarts.nl, HIV
- Cardo DM et al. A case-control study of HIV seroconversion in health care workers after percutaneous exposure. N Engl J Med. 1997 (PMID 9366579).
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