Post-exposure prophylaxis: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 11:14, 15 February 2025

Medical treatment to prevent disease after exposure to a pathogen

Overview[edit]

File:PEPMeds2023.jpg

Medications commonly used in post-exposure prophylaxis

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a medical treatment started immediately after exposure to a pathogen, such as a virus, in order to prevent infection and the development of disease. PEP is commonly used in the context of HIV exposure, but it is also applicable to other infectious diseases such as rabies and hepatitis B.

Mechanism of Action[edit]

PEP works by inhibiting the replication of the pathogen within the body, thereby preventing it from establishing an infection. The effectiveness of PEP depends on the timing of administration, the type of pathogen, and the specific medications used. For example, in the case of HIV, antiretroviral drugs are used to prevent the virus from multiplying.

Indications[edit]

PEP is indicated in situations where there is a significant risk of exposure to a pathogen. Common scenarios include:

Occupational exposure, such as needlestick injuries in healthcare settings.
Non-occupational exposure, such as unprotected sexual contact or sharing needles.
Exposure to rabies through animal bites.

Administration[edit]

PEP should be initiated as soon as possible after exposure, ideally within hours. The treatment duration and specific medications depend on the pathogen involved. For HIV, a typical PEP regimen involves a combination of antiretroviral drugs taken for 28 days.

Side Effects[edit]

The side effects of PEP vary depending on the medications used. Common side effects include nausea, fatigue, and headache. It is important for patients to complete the full course of treatment despite these side effects to ensure effectiveness.

Effectiveness[edit]

The effectiveness of PEP is highest when administered promptly after exposure. Delays in treatment initiation can significantly reduce its efficacy. For HIV, PEP is most effective when started within 72 hours of exposure.

Related Pages[edit]

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-'''Post-exposure prophylaxis''' (PEP) is a preventive medical treatment that begins after exposure to a pathogen (such as a disease-causing virus or bacteria) in order to prevent infection and the spread of disease. PEP is used in medicine for various types of potential exposures, including occupational exposure to HIV and other bloodborne pathogens, sexual exposure to HIV, and exposure to rabies.
+{{Short description|Medical treatment to prevent disease after exposure to a pathogen}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
-==Types of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis==
+== Overview ==
+[[File:PEPMeds2023.jpg|thumb|right|Medications commonly used in post-exposure prophylaxis]]
+'''Post-exposure prophylaxis''' ('''PEP''') is a medical treatment started immediately after exposure to a pathogen, such as a virus, in order to prevent infection and the development of disease. PEP is commonly used in the context of [[HIV]] exposure, but it is also applicable to other infectious diseases such as [[rabies]] and [[hepatitis B]].
-===HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis===
+== Mechanism of Action ==
+PEP works by inhibiting the replication of the pathogen within the body, thereby preventing it from establishing an infection. The effectiveness of PEP depends on the timing of administration, the type of pathogen, and the specific medications used. For example, in the case of HIV, antiretroviral drugs are used to prevent the virus from multiplying.
-[[HIV post-exposure prophylaxis]] (HIV PEP) involves taking antiretroviral medicines as soon as possible after a potential exposure to HIV. This can include occupational exposure (for example, healthcare workers who have a needlestick injury during their work) or non-occupational exposure (such as sexual exposure or injection drug use).
+== Indications ==
+PEP is indicated in situations where there is a significant risk of exposure to a pathogen. Common scenarios include:
+* Occupational exposure, such as needlestick injuries in healthcare settings.
+* Non-occupational exposure, such as unprotected sexual contact or sharing needles.
+* Exposure to rabies through animal bites.
-===Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis===
+== Administration ==
+PEP should be initiated as soon as possible after exposure, ideally within hours. The treatment duration and specific medications depend on the pathogen involved. For HIV, a typical PEP regimen involves a combination of antiretroviral drugs taken for 28 days.
-[[Rabies post-exposure prophylaxis]] (Rabies PEP) is given to individuals who have been bitten or scratched by an animal suspected to have rabies. The treatment includes a series of vaccinations that are given as soon as possible after the exposure.
+== Side Effects ==
+The side effects of PEP vary depending on the medications used. Common side effects include nausea, fatigue, and headache. It is important for patients to complete the full course of treatment despite these side effects to ensure effectiveness.
-==Effectiveness==
+== Effectiveness ==
+The effectiveness of PEP is highest when administered promptly after exposure. Delays in treatment initiation can significantly reduce its efficacy. For HIV, PEP is most effective when started within 72 hours of exposure.
-The effectiveness of PEP depends on the type of exposure, the type of pathogen, the time between exposure and the start of treatment, and the specific treatment regimen used. For example, HIV PEP is most effective when started within 72 hours after a potential exposure.
+== Related Pages ==
+* [[HIV prevention]]
-==Side Effects==
-Side effects of PEP can include nausea, fatigue, and diarrhea. These side effects can often be managed with supportive care and do not usually require discontinuation of PEP.
-==See Also==
-* [[Pre-exposure prophylaxis]]
 * [[Antiretroviral therapy]]
 * [[Rabies vaccine]]
+* [[Needlestick injury]]
 [[Category:Medical treatments]]
 [[Category:Infectious diseases]]
-[[Category:HIV/AIDS]]
-[[Category:Rabies]]
-{{Medicine-stub}}