PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a 28-day course of emergency HIV medication. It must be started within 72 hours of a high-risk exposure (e.g., a condom break with a partner of unknown status), but the sooner you start it, the more effective it is. In Belgium, cost is minimal with a Mutuelle, and emergency care is provided regardless.
🚨 Where to Go Right Now
Do not wait for a convenient appointment. Your route depends entirely on the time of day.
| Time / Day | Where to Go | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday (Daytime) | HIV Reference Center (HRC) clinic at a University Hospital | Direct access to HIV specialists. |
| Evening / Weekend / Bank Holiday | Spoedgevallen / Urgences (A&E) at a University Hospital | Expect to wait in triage. They have 24/7 expertise. |
Major University Hospitals (HRCs)
- Brussels: CHU Saint-Pierre (Rue Haute 322), ULB Hôpital Erasme, or Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc.
- Antwerp: UZA (Wilrijkstraat 10, Edegem). Note: The ITM Help Center is not an emergency service — use UZA for out-of-hours.
- Ghent: UZ Gent (De Pintelaan 185)
- Leuven: UZ Leuven (Herestraat 49)
- Liège: CHU de Liège (Domaine Universitaire du Sart-Tilman)
Do not go to your huisarts / médecin généraliste (GP). Family doctors cannot prescribe or stock PEP. They will redirect you, wasting critical hours.
🗣️ Navigating Triage
At Spoedgevallen / Urgences, you need to use clear language to be triaged correctly.
- Use the terminology (Dutch): "Ik heb post-expositieprofylaxe nodig na een seksueel contact met risico op HIV."
- Use the terminology (French): "J'ai besoin d'un traitement post-exposition (TPE) suite à un contact sexuel à haut risque pour le VIH."
- State the timeline: Add exactly how many hours ago the exposure was (e.g. "il y a [X] heures").
- Be direct about the exposure: State exactly what happened (e.g., receptive anal sex without a condom).
The Starter Pack: The hospital A&E provides a 5–7 day starter pack of PEP medication to begin immediately. The follow-up is mandatory. You must attend an HRC outpatient clinic to continue the full 28-day course before your pack runs out.
💊 The Medication: What to Expect
The standard Belgian PEP regimen usually consists of Truvada (or a generic equivalent) taken alongside either raltegravir or dolutegravir (Tivicay).
- It is a strict regimen: PEP is not a morning-after pill. It is a mandatory 28-day course, and you cannot miss doses.
- Side effects are manageable: You may experience nausea, fatigue, or diarrhea, though not everyone does. The clinic will often prescribe anti-sickness medication alongside your PEP.
- Do not stop: Never stop taking PEP without speaking to a doctor first.
💶 Cost
With Mutuelle: Emergency hospital care carries a ticket modérateur (co-payment) — typically €10–30 for the A&E visit, with PEP medication largely covered. Keep your eID card with you. EU/EEA visitors with EHIC: Emergency care is covered. Present your EHIC card at the hospital. Without coverage: Emergency care is provided. A bill will follow. Manage it afterward — go immediately.
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