The Short Version

PEP (Profilaxie Post-Expunere — PPE in Romanian) must be started within 72 hours of potential HIV exposure. In Bucharest, go to the Camera de Gardă (emergency department) at Matei Balș hospital. PEP is free. The 72-hour clock starts at the moment of exposure.

Emergency: 112

What Is PEP

PEP is a 28-day course of antiretroviral medication taken after a potential HIV exposure — unprotected anal sex with a partner of unknown or positive status, a condom failure with a high-risk partner, or a similar event. When started within 72 hours (ideally within 24), it significantly reduces HIV transmission risk. It does not work if started after 72 hours.

Where to Go in Bucharest

Institutul Național de Boli Infecțioase "Prof. Dr. Matei Balș" — Camera de Gardă Str. Dr. Calistrat Grozovici 1, Sector 2, Bucharest Phone: 021 201 09 80 Open 24 hours — this is the primary option. Matei Balș is Romania's national infectious diseases reference hospital and its emergency team is the most experienced in Bucharest for HIV-related emergencies.

Spitalul Clinic de Boli Infecțioase și Tropicale "Victor Babeș" — Camera de Gardă Mihai Bravu 281, Sector 3, Bucharest Phone: 021 318 85 70 Alternative option; also 24 hours.

If neither is accessible, any major hospital Camera de Gardă can initiate PEP or stabilise you for transfer — but Matei Balș is strongly preferred for this specific need.

What to Say at Camera de Gardă

"Am avut un contact sexual cu risc de HIV și am nevoie de profilaxie post-expunere." ("I had a sexual contact with HIV risk and I need post-exposure prophylaxis.")

Or more simply: "Am nevoie de PEP pentru HIV. A fost acum mai puțin de 72 de ore." ("I need PEP for HIV. It was less than 72 hours ago.")

Be specific about when the exposure occurred. The doctor will assess the risk level and decide whether PEP is indicated.

What to Expect

You will be assessed and, if PEP is appropriate, given either a starter pack (a few days of medication) or the full 28-day course immediately. If you receive only a starter pack, follow up at the Matei Balș outpatient department or through ARAS to complete the course.

The staff may ask about the nature of the exposure. The question is clinical — they need to assess risk. Romania's stigma environment means some gay and bisexual men find this interaction uncomfortable; if you prefer, you can simply describe the exposure as "unprotected sexual contact with a partner of unknown HIV status" without specifying details of the act.

Cost

PEP is free at Matei Balș and Victor Babeș under the national HIV prevention programme — for both Romanian nationals and EU/EEA citizens with EHIC. Non-EU tourists may face administrative questions, but in practice PEP is not refused for cost reasons at these hospitals.

Emergency Contacts

Service Number Hours
Emergency services 112 24h
Matei Balș Camera de Gardă 021 201 09 80 24h
Victor Babeș Camera de Gardă 021 318 85 70 24h
ARAS (next-day follow-up) 021 252 43 70 Office hours

After PEP

  • HIV test at 4–6 weeks post-exposure
  • HIV test again at 12 weeks (definitive)
  • STI screen — request throat and rectal swabs (exsudat faringian and exsudat anal), not just blood
  • Consider starting PrEP to prevent being in this situation again — ARAS can guide you

See also: PrEP access | ARAS testing | PEP emergency guide