If you've had a potential HIV exposure in Latvia, go immediately to LIC (Latvijas Infektoloģijas centrs) in Riga. PEP must start within 72 hours — sooner is significantly better.
Go Here: LIC
Latvijas Infektoloģijas centrs — Uzņemšanas nodaļa Address: Linezera iela 3, Riga Emergency: 112 / 113 (police) / 03 (ambulance)
Go to the Uzņemšanas nodaļa (emergency reception/admission unit) and say:
"Man bija HIV risks. Man vajag profilaksi pēc ekspozīcijas (PEP)." (I had an HIV risk. I need post-exposure prophylaxis — PEP.)
LIC operates 24 hours. The infectious disease team assesses risk and dispenses the PEP starter pack from the hospital pharmacy.
The 72-Hour Rule
PEP must start within 72 hours of a potential HIV exposure. Every hour counts — starting at hour 2 is more effective than starting at hour 70. Do not wait to assess the situation or see if symptoms develop. Go.
PEP is a 28-day course of antiretroviral medication taken daily without gaps.
Cost
For Latvian health system residents: PEP is free or state-covered as emergency care. EU citizens with EHIC can access emergency care at state rates — bring your EHIC card. Non-EU visitors: emergency care is provided; you may be billed afterward. Travel insurance should cover this.
Cost should never stop you from going within the window.
Outside Riga
If you're outside Riga, go to the Uzņemšana (emergency reception) of the nearest slimnīca (hospital) and request the dežurējošais infektologs (on-call infectious disease doctor). Say: "HIV risks — man vajag PEP."
Key regional hospitals:
- Daugavpils: Daugavpils Reģionālā slimnīca (Vienības iela 68)
- Liepāja: Liepājas Reģionālā slimnīca (Slimnīcas iela 25)
- Jelgava: Jelgavas Pilsētas slimnīca (Jelgavas iela 2)
Regional hospitals may need to source PEP medication from Riga — explain the urgency and time constraint clearly.
After PEP
Complete the full 28-day course without interruption. After finishing, test at Testpunkts or LIC: HIV test at 6 weeks post-exposure, confirmatory at 3 months.
If PEP reflects ongoing risk, discuss transitioning to PrEP with the infektologs at LIC — see PrEP Access in Latvia.