There have been some amazing changes in HIV care and prevention in the last few decades. Nowadays, there are medicines that can help stop you getting the virus.   

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may help protect you if you’re at high risk of getting HIV or if you think you might have caught it.

In Derbyshire both medicines are available for free from our main sexual health clinics at Florence Nightingale hospital in Derby and Wheatbridge Health Village in Chesterfield. You can also get PEP, which needs to be taken soon after sex, from A&E.

Using condoms is still the best way to avoid HIV, but we understand that life can take an unexpected turn, or you might need a bit of extra help. 

Please speak to us as soon as you can if you think you need PrEP or PEP. We will never judge you, whatever your situation, and we will do everything we can to help you stay safe.

PrEP can help stop you getting HIV if you take it before you have sex. It’s a tablet that you can take regularly or as a one-off dose over a few days.

Who can take PrEP?

Taking PrEP might be right for you if you are at higher risk of getting HIV. You can only take it if you are 15 or over and HIV negative. The people most at risk from HIV include:

  • men who have unprotected sex with men
  • women who have unprotected sex with men who have sex with men 
  • sex workers 
  • people who have sex with someone who is HIV positive (this includes sharing sex toys)
  • transgender people
  • people who have unprotected sex with someone who has injected drugs and shared needles
  • people who use drugs to enhance sex  (chemsex) 

If you’re given PrEP and you’re a woman, or if you’re trans and using hormone treatment, you should take it every day. If you’re a man who has sex with men, you can take it daily or on demand.  

How effective is PrEP?

PrEP is very effective at stopping HIV when it’s taken correctly. It’s a really good idea to also get sexually transmitted infection (STI) tests every 3 months. PrEP does not protect you against other STIs and condoms are your best option for that. 

How to get PrEP

If you think you might need PrEP, please do not feel embarrassed about reaching out. Your sexual health is our priority. We’re here to help you and anyone else who might be at risk of HIV, and our service is completely confidential. 

Here’s how to get hold of PrEP if you think you might need it: 

  1. Call our confidential information and booking line on 0800 328 3383. 
  2. Book an appointment at one of our main clinics, at a time that suits you, Monday to Friday.
  3. Get ready for your appointment. You will be asked about your sexual history, health history and any medicines you’re taking. These questions are just to make sure we give you the right support. Nobody will judge you, whatever you answer.
  4. Attend your appointment where a doctor will discuss PrEP and do some tests, including blood tests, to check it’s right for you. You may be given a follow-up appointment about 2 weeks later when you collect your medication.
  5. You may well need to come back every 3 months for follow-up tests to make sure the medicine is still suiting you. You can pick up 3 more months of PrEP tablets while you’re there.

Greg Owen explains: What is PrEP?

 

If you’re worried you might have caught HIV, PEP can stop this happening if you take it quickly enough. It’s taken for 28 days, and needs to be started very soon after you think you might have caught the virus. 

Who can take PEP? 

You will only be given PEP if doctors decide you’re at high risk of contracting HIV. 

This might be because you had unprotected sex, a condom broke or you were sexually assaulted. We know your head might be spinning if any of these things apply to you, but please contact us as soon as you can. Ideally, you should start taking PEP within 24 hours (1 day) and at most within 72 hours (3 days) of possible exposure to HIV. 

You may feel scared or embarrassed about asking for PEP, but please do not worry. Our staff will never judge you and we are there for you through the whole process. If you’ve been sexually assaulted, we know you will be feeling traumatised and scared. We will do what we can to help and we can support and guide you through any next steps you might want to take. 

You can find more help and support after rape and sexual assault on the NHS website.

How effective is PEP? 

PEP is not guaranteed to work every time. It needs to be taken exactly according to instructions for the full 28-day course. If you miss it for 48 hours (2 days) during this time you will have to stop taking it. 

That’s why the best way to keep yourself safe and reduce the chance of getting HIV is to use condoms. We have free condoms that you can pick up throughout Derby and Derbyshire, or we can send them to you. 

How to get PEP 

You can get PEP for free and in total confidence from one of our main sexual health clinics. Call the information and booking line on 0800 328 3383. 

If you need PEP out of hours go straight to a local A&E department: