Advice and resources : How to prevent HIV
How can we help
Think you’ve been exposed to HIV?
PEP is emergency HIV treatment taken after possible exposure. It must start within 72 hours.
Get PEP nowSexual Health Service
Our sexual health services offer free, confidential, and non-judgemental service which aims to solve your sexual health problems in the first visit.
Learn moreHow can we help
Think you’ve been exposed to HIV?
PEP is emergency HIV treatment taken after possible exposure. It must start within 72 hours.
Get PEP nowSexual Health Service
Our sexual health services offer free, confidential, and non-judgemental service which aims to solve your sexual health problems in the first visit.
Learn moreWhat is HIV?
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that weakens your immune system and increases your risk of serious illness. There’s currently no cure, but with treatment most people with HIV can live a long and healthy life.
How to protect yourself from HIV?
You can protect yourself from HIV by using condoms, avoiding shared needles, getting tested regularly, and taking prevention medication like PrEP or PEP when needed.
For regular testing, visit Lilie hub to make an appointment.
PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis)
What is PReP?
PrEP is a pill you can take to help stop you from getting HIV. It works best if you take it the right way, either every day or just before and after sex, your doctor will help you choose what’s best.
PrEP is for people who don’t have HIV but might be at risk, like:
- People whose partner has HIV and isn’t on treatment
- Men who have sex with men
- Anyone who has sex without a condom and doesn’t know their partner’s HIV status
Good to know
PrEP only protects you from HIV, not other infections or pregnancy. So it’s still smart to use condoms and get regular check-ups.
Before starting PrEP, you’ll have a quick health check. That usually means a chat with a clinician, some blood tests, and an STI screening.
Once you’re on PrEP, you’ll come back every 3 months for a check-in. It’s just to make sure everything’s working well and you’re staying healthy.
How to Get PrEP
To get PrEP, book an appointment at one of our sexual health clinics for an assessment and prescription.
PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis)
What is PEP?
PEP is medicine you take after something happens that might expose you to HIV.
You may have been exposed to HIV by:
- having sex without a condom with someone who may be living with HIV
- Sharing needles or injecting equipment
- Occupational exposure, such as a needlestick injury
Good to know
PEP only protects you from HIV, not other infections or pregnancy. So it’s still smart to use condoms and get regular check-ups.
Before starting PEP, you’ll have a quick health check. That usually means a chat with a clinician along with blood tests.
PEP is a 28 day course of pills, you will take them every day for four weeks.
How to Get PrEP
PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) is emergency treatment taken after potential exposure. It must be started within 72 hours to be effective. Use NHS Choices to find treatment near you.