Treatment FAQ

what does the pep treatment do to your body

by Mose Schinner Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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PEP (positive expiratory pressure) therapy helps open and move mucus out of your lungs. You breathe into a small handheld device that has a valve. You breathe out against a set amount of pressure.

PEP is a treatment that can stop an HIV infection after the virus has entered a person's body. It must be taken within 72 hours of exposure.

Full Answer

How does PEP therapy work?

 · PEP, or post-exposure prophylaxis, is a short course of HIV medicines taken very soon after a possible exposure to HIV to prevent the virus from taking hold in your body. You must start it within 72 hours (3 days) after a possible exposure to HIV, or it won’t work. Every hour counts! PEP should be used only in emergency situations.

What are the side effects of PEP?

 · PEP (positive expiratory pressure) therapy helps open and move mucus out of your lungs. You breathe into a small handheld device that has a valve. You breathe out against a set amount of pressure. The pressure helps hold your airways open. It also allows air to get behind and loosen mucus. The air moves mucus so you are able to cough it up and out.

Is Pep the right drug for You?

There can be side effects of PEP, like stomach aches and being tired. But PEP side effects aren’t dangerous, and they can be treated. Talk with your nurse or doctor if you have side effects that are really bothering you. If PEP doesn’t work, you may have symptoms of the first stage of an HIV infection, like a fever or rash.

What happens if Pep doesn’t work?

If you're on PEP, use condoms when you have sex to lower the chances that you'll come into contact with HIV again or, if you have the virus, that you'll …

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What are the side effects after finishing PEP?

Common side-effects associated with dolutegravir include: headache, insomnia, dizziness, abnormal dreams, depression, fatigue, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or discomfort, flatulence, rash and itching.

How long does PEP work in the body?

PEP involves a 4-week course of HIV treatment that helps prevent someone from HIV infection. PEP works by stopping the virus from replicating after recent exposure. The cells originally infected with HIV die naturally within a short period of time, reducing the likelihood for HIV to establish itself in the body.

Does PEP cause permanent damage?

During PEP side-effects are often noted to be short term and resolve when the course ends. There will have been no long-term effect to your genetic material. You are safe to have children. Truvada is linked to kidney function loss.

Can I test positive while on PEP?

When should I have an HIV test after taking PEP? It is recommended that you be tested at 2 time points after starting PEP. The first test at 6 weeks can detect early HIV infection. If the test is positive, early detection has the benefit of being able to start HIV treatment as soon after infection as possible.

Does PEP make you tired?

Know the side effects PEP can cause mild side effects, including nausea, upset stomach, fatigue and headaches. These symptoms often get better or go away after the first week of taking PEP.

Does PEP weaken the immune system?

Does Pep lower your immune system? 32Theoretically, it is possible that these medications can weaken the immune system when utilized this manner and may actually increase that the threat of HIV disease if an exposure occurs. If danger of esophageal exposure is deemed high, research PEP for hepatitis.

Does PrEP make you gain weight?

Using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) does not raise lipid levels or have any substantial effect on body fat, investigators from the iPrEX trial report this month in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.

Does PEP cause hair loss?

Uninfected individuals are taking Truvada as PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) or PEP (post exposure prophylaxis)—two preventive methods that protect a person from acquiring HIV-1 infection. Some people have reported hair loss while taking Truvada but it is a relatively uncommon side effect.

What can make PEP fail?

It can fail because: the person doesn't or isn't able to take PEP as prescribed (every day for a month) some anti-HIV drugs don't work against some strains of HIV (although this is rare) the initial viral load (the amount of HIV) in the body was too great for the drugs to be effective.

Is taking PEP for 14 days effective?

The longer you wait, the greater the chance that PEP won't work. PEP usually isn't given more than 72 hours (3 days) after exposure as studies show it is unlikely to be effective.

What is the success rate of PEP?

Among studies assessing two-drug regimens, PEP completion rates were significantly higher for TDF-based regimens (78.4%) compared to ZDV-based regimens (58.8%).

Is 7 days of PEP enough?

But you have to start PEP within 72 hours, or 3 days, after you were exposed to HIV, or it won't work. The sooner you start, the better it works — every hour matters. You take PEP 1-2 times a day for at least 28 days. The medicines used in PEP are called antiretroviral medications (ART).

What Steps Do I Need to Follow For Pep Therapy?

Your healthcare provider will set your device to the amount of pressure needed. He will tell you to repeat these steps at least 5 times to make 1 c...

How Do I Clean My Pep device?

Clean mucus and moisture out of your device after every use. A more complete cleaning depends on the type of device you use. Ask your healthcare pr...

When Should I Contact My Healthcare Provider?

1. You are not able to move mucus after several cycles. 2. You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

What to do if you are taking PEP?

If you are taking PEP, talk to your health care provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. PEP medicines may also interact with other medicines that a person is taking (called a drug interaction).

Can PEP be life threatening?

In almost all cases, these side effects can be treated and aren’t life-threatening. If you are taking PEP, talk to your health care provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. PEP medicines may also interact with other medicines that a person is taking (called a drug interaction).

Can you get PEP after HIV exposure?

In addition, if you are a health care worker, you may be prescribed PEP after a possible exposure to HIV at work , such as from a needlestick injury.

How long does it take for PEP to work?

You must start it within 72 hours (3 days) after a possible exposure to HIV, or it won’t work. Every hour counts!

Is PEP right for HIV?

PEP may be right for you if you are HIV-negative or don’t know your HIV status, and you think you may have been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours: During sex (for example, you had a condom break with a partner of unknown HIV status or a partner with HIV who is not virally suppressed)

Is PEP effective for HIV?

PEP is effective in preventing HIV infection when it’s taken correctly, but it’s not 100% effective. The sooner you start PEP after a possible HIV exposure, the better. While taking PEP, it’s important to use other HIV prevention methods, such as using condoms the right way, every time you have sex and using only new, ...

Can you use PEP for HIV?

No. PEP should be used only in emergency situations. It is not intended to replace regular use of other HIV prevention methods. If you feel that you might exposed to HIV frequently, talk to your health care professional about PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis).

How does PEP therapy work?

Some PEP therapy devices use vibrations, or oscillations, to help loosen mucus. As you breathe out, the pressure and vibrations in your airways work together to help loosen mucus. PEP therapy also helps air get into the small airways deep in your lungs.

What is PEP therapy?

PEP (positive expiratory pressure) therapy helps open and move mucus out of your lungs. You breathe into a small handheld device that has a valve. You breathe out against a set amount of pressure. The pressure helps hold your airways open. It also allows air to get behind and loosen mucus.

How to bring up mucus?

Cough and bring up mucus:#N#Remove the mouthpiece from your mouth or the mask from your face.#N#Do 2 to 3 huff coughs. Take a deep breath in. Use your stomach muscles to breathe out 3 quick, forceful breaths. Make a ha, ha, ha sound.#N#Then cough hard to bring up mucus. Spit the mucus out. Do not swallow the mucus.#N#You may need to rest for 1 to 2 minutes.#N#Repeat the cycle for up to 30 minutes. 1 Remove the mouthpiece from your mouth or the mask from your face. 2 Do 2 to 3 huff coughs. Take a deep breath in. Use your stomach muscles to breathe out 3 quick, forceful breaths. Make a ha, ha, ha sound. 3 Then cough hard to bring up mucus. Spit the mucus out. Do not swallow the mucus. 4 You may need to rest for 1 to 2 minutes. 5 Repeat the cycle for up to 30 minutes.

Does PEP work?

It’s important that you take every pill as directed and don’t skip doses, otherwise PEP may not work as well. PEP isn’t 100% effective, and it won't prevent future HIV infections like PrEP can. So it’s important to keep protecting yourself and others from HIV while you’re on PEP. Use condoms every time you have sex.

What happens before you get PEP?

Before you get PEP, the nurse or doctor will talk with you about what happened, to decide whether PEP is right for you. They’ll give you a blood test for HIV (if you already have HIV, you won’t be able to use PEP). You’ll also be tested for Hepatitis B.

What is PEP in HIV?

What is PrEP? What is PEP? YouTube. PEP stands for post exposure prophylaxis. PEP is a series of pills you can start taking very soon after you’ve been exposed to HIV that lowers your chances of getting it . But you have to start PEP within 72 hours, or 3 days, after you were exposed to HIV, or it won’t work.

What does PEP stand for?

What is PEP? YouTube. PEP stands for post exposure prophylaxis. PEP is a series of pills you can start taking very soon after you’ve been exposed to HIV that lowers your chances of getting it. But you have to start PEP within 72 hours, or 3 days, after you were exposed to HIV, or it won’t work.

How long does it take for PEP to work?

But you have to start PEP within 72 hours, or 3 days, after you were exposed to HIV, or it won’t work. The sooner you start, the better it works — every hour matters.

What is a PEP?

PEP is for people who may have been exposed to HIV in the last 3 days. PEP might be right for you if: You shared needles or works (like cotton, cookers, or water) with someone who may have HIV. If you were exposed to HIV in the last 3 days and want PEP, see a nurse or doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.

How long after exposure to HIV can you start PEP?

You can start PEP up to 72 hours (3 days) after you were exposed to HIV, but don’t wait — it’s really important to start PEP as soon as possible. So if you can’t get to a doctor or nurse right away, go to the emergency room as soon as you can. Every hour counts.

What is PEP in medical terms?

What Is Post-Exposure Prophylaxis? Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is medicine you take after you’ve come into contact with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, to lower your chance of infection.

Why do you need a PEP test?

You’ll need HIV tests after you’re through with PEP to make sure you didn’t get the virus. If you're on PEP, use condoms when you have sex to lower the chances that you'll come into contact with HIV again or, if you have the virus, that you'll spread it. If PEP doesn’t work and you get HIV, it might be because the virus resists some ...

Can you take raltegravir while taking PEP?

Women who are in early pregnancy, who are sexually active and could become pregnant while taking PEP, or who were sexually assaulted without birth control should take raltegravir rather than dolutegravir because of a risk of birth defects. Children 2 or older who need PEP usually get the same drugs in different doses.

Do you need a test for HIV after PEP?

You’ll need HIV tests after you’re through with PEP to make sure you didn’t get the virus. If you're on PEP, use condoms when you have sex to lower the chances that you'll come into contact with HIV again or, if you have the virus, that you'll spread it.

Why doesn't PEP work?

If PEP doesn’t work and you get HIV, it might be because the virus resists some of the medications. PEP Side Effects. Side effects of PEP include: Upset stomach. Fatigue. Headache. Diarrhea. Insomnia. Rarely, the drugs can cause serious health issues, including liver problems.

Does health insurance pay for PEP?

If you work in health care and had contact with HIV on the job, your health insurance or workers’ compensation will probably pay for PEP. If your doctor gives you PEP for another reason and you don’t have insurance or can’t get coverage, you might be able to get the drugs for free from the companies that make them.

How long after exposure to HIV can you start PEP?

You must start PEP within 72 hours (3 days) after you were exposed to HIV. The sooner you start it, the better.

What is PEP treatment?

Post-exposure prophylaxis. Sometimes, in the heat of the moment you may forget to play safely. This is when it’s important to consider getting post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), a course of treatment for guys who think they may have been put at risk of HIV infection.

How does PEP work?

PEP works by stopping the virus from replicating after recent exposure. The cells originally infected with HIV die naturally within a short period of time, reducing the likelihood for HIV to establish itself in the body.

Is it safe to use PEP for HIV?

If you’ve used PEP several times it might be worthwhile considering HIV prevention options, such as condoms, PrEP and UVL. We get it, we’re all human and make mistakes. But the important thing is to stay safe and if we can avoid getting HIV we should do what we can to protect ourselves.

How long after exposure to HIV should you start PEP?

If you believe you’ve been exposed to HIV, you should start PEP as soon as possible, ideally within a few hours after the risk event. If it is not started within 72 hours (3 days) of exposure to HIV it is likely that the drug will be ineffective.

What is PEP treatment?

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a method of preventing HIV infection. It involves using a four-week course of the drugs used to treat HIV, taken very soon after a person may have been exposed to the virus. PEP consists of three anti-HIV drugs. Two of these medications are from a class of drugs known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors ...

What is PEP in medicine?

PEP consists of three anti-HIV drugs. Two of these medications are from a class of drugs known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and are usually taken together in a single pill. A third medication – from either the integrase inhibitor or protease inhibitor class of drugs – is taken separately.

Is emtricitabine a PEP?

In the UK the recommended first-line PEP medications of emtricitabine/tenofovir and raltegravir are generally well tolerated by most people. Nonetheless, some people do have short-term problems with tiredness, diarrhoea, nausea, flatulence, headache, vivid dreams and other side-effects. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a method ...

How long does it take to take PEP?

It involves using a four-week course of the drugs used to treat HIV, taken very soon after a person may have been exposed to the virus. PEP consists of three anti-HIV drugs. Two of these medications are from a class of drugs known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and are usually taken together in a single pill.

Is PEP easier to take than it used to be?

PEP is therefore easier to take than it used to be. This page outlines the possible side-effects of the currently recommended combination of PEP medications, as well as the side-effects of other medications that may be used as alternatives. Side-effects usually appear soon after starting PEP as the body adjusts to the new medications.

How long does it take for side effects to go away after taking PEP?

Side-effects often lessen, become manageable, or go away completely after a few days or weeks. Another point to bear in mind is that most of these data on side-effects come from HIV-positive people taking the same medications over many years as HIV ...

What is the first line of treatment for PEP?

Alternative third agents. BASHH guidelines state that while raltegravir – an integrase inhibitor – is the first-line treatment in PEP, various boosted protease inhibitors may also be used if raltegravir is judged by the clinician to be unsuitable (for example, if there are concerns about intolerance).

Why do we take PEP?

PEP can be taken after a potential exposure in order to help prevent HIV transmission. The article below will focus on what exactly PEP is, when and how to take it, and what to expect.

Why is it important to take PEP every day?

It’s important to take PEP around the same time each day. This is so the level of antiretroviral drugs in the body remains constant during treatment. Missing doses of PEP can make it less effective. It may be helpful to set a daily alert on a phone or tablet to remember when it’s time for another dose.

What is PEP for HIV?

HIV is a virus that affects the immune system. There are several ways to prevent contracting HIV. One prevention method is called postexposure prophylaxis (PEP), which is a combination of antiretroviral medications. PEP can be taken after a potential exposure in order ...

When to use PEP?

PEP is taken in emergency situations when exposure to HIV may have occurred. When taken as directed, it’s effective at preventing HIV transmission. Some examples of situations where PEP may be used include after: engaging in consensual sex, especially without a condom or other barrier method or if a barrier method breaks.

What are some examples of PEP?

Some examples of situations where PEP may be used include after: engaging in consensual sex, especially without a condom or other barrier method or if a barrier method breaks. experiencing a sexual assault. sharing needles or other injection drug equipment. having an occupational injury, such as a needlestick or a cut.

What are some examples of situations where PEP may be used?

Some examples of situations where PEP may be used include after: engaging in consensual sex, especially without a condom or other barrier method or if a barrier method breaks. having an occupational injury, such as a needlestick or a cut. It’s important to note that PEP is for emergency use only.

Is PEP a substitute for HIV?

It’s important to note that PEP is for emergency use only. It’s not a substitute for other HIV prevention methods, such as using a condom or other barrier method during sex or taking preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP). PEP is actually a combination of different antiretroviral drugs.

How effective is PEP?

PEP is effective in preventing HIV infection when it’s taken correctly, but it’s not 100% effective. PEP can lower the risk of getting HIV infection by more than 80%.

When should PEP be used?

PEP should be used only in emergencies after exposure to HIV. It should not be used as a replacement for or HIV prevention methods. PEP normally consists of three anti-HIV drugs from the different drug classes.

What is PEP in HIV?

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) involves taking anti- HIV medications immediately after any potential exposure to HIV ( human immunodeficiency virus) to prevent HIV infection (acquired immune deficiency syndrome or AIDS ). PEP may prevent HIV from entering the cells in the body and stop someone from getting an HIV infection.

Can you get HIV from PEP?

PEP may prevent HIV from entering the cells in the body and stop someone from getting an HIV infection. However, there is no guarantee that a person exposed to HIV will not become infected with HIV after taking PEP. PEP should be used only in emergencies after exposure to HIV.

How long does it take for PEP to work?

PEP must be started within 72 hours of possible exposure to HIV for it to be effective. It works best if PEP is taken within 24 hours of being exposed to HIV. Medication must be taken as advised, regularly every day for 28 days (4 weeks course). Drug levels must remain high during the month of treatment to help prevent infection.

How long after exposure to PEP can you take the drug?

The medicines are not taken soon enough, which is within 72 hours after potential exposure to the virus. The full course of PEP drugs is not completed. Further exposures to HIV happen while taking PEP.

How does PEP work in HIV?

Then, it spreads throughout the body causing HIV infection. PEP works by interfering with this pathway that HIV uses to cause infection in the body.

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