Advice and resources : How to prevent HIV

What 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.

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.

• Make an appointment

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 PEP

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.

• Get PEP now

DPEP (Doxy post-exposure prophylaxis)

What is Doxy PEP?

Doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (Doxy PEP) involves taking a single 200 mg oral dose of doxycycline as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours, but no later than 72 hours after sexual exposure without a condom. It is primarily used to prevent bacterial STIs, including syphilis and chlamydia, but it does not prevent HIV, Mpox, or other viral infections. Doxy PEP is generally well-tolerated, with minimal side effects such as nausea or stomach upset, which can be reduced by taking the medication with food and at least 8 ounces of water.

Who can use Doxy PEP?

Doxy PEP is recommended for:

Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women with a history of at least one bacterial STI in the past 12 months.
 
Other sexually active individuals at increased risk of bacterial STIs may also consider doxy PEP after discussing benefits and risks with a healthcare provider.
 
It is safe and effective for people living with HIV.

Effectiveness

Research shows that doxy PEP can significantly reduce the risk of bacterial STIs:

Chlamydia and syphilis: over 70% reduction in risk.

This means it can prevent more than two-thirds of chlamydia and syphilis infections when taken within 72 hours of exposure.

How to take Doxy PEP

Dose: 200 mg orally per exposure.

Timing: Take as soon as possible, within 72 hours after condomless oral, anal, or vaginal sex.

Frequency: Do not exceed 200 mg in a 24-hour period. If multiple exposures occur, take the final dose within 72 hours of the last encounter.

Administration: Take with water and food to reduce gastrointestinal side effects.