WHAT IF I’VE BEEN EXPOSED?

WHAT IF I’VE BEEN EXPOSED?

If you think you have been exposed to HIV, talk to your health care provider or the public health department, and get tested. For more information on HIV testing, see Fact Sheet 102.

If you are sure that you have been exposed, call your healthcare provider immediately to discuss whether you should start takingantiretroviral drugs (ARVs). This is called “post exposure prophylaxis”or PEP. You would take two or three medications for several weeks. These drugs can decrease the risk of infection, but they have some serious side effects. Fact Sheet 156 has more information on PEP.
THE BOTTOM LINE

HIV does not spread easily from person to person. To get infected with HIV, infected blood, sexual fluid, or mother’s milk has to get into your body. HIV-infected pregnant women can pass the infection to their new babies.

To decrease the risk of spreading HIV:

* Use condoms during sexual activity
* Do not share drug injection equipment
* If you are HIV-infected and pregnant, talk with your health care provider about taking ARVs.
* If you are an HIV-infected woman, don’t breast feed any baby
* Protect cuts, open sores, and your eyes and mouth from contact with blood.

If you think you’ve been exposed to HIV, get tested and ask your health care provider about taking ARVs.