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 Denmark, it is completely free of charge.
🚨 Where to Go Right Now
Do not wait for a convenient appointment. Your route depends entirely on the time of day and your region.
| Region | Where to Go | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Capital Region (Copenhagen area) | Call 1813 first | They will direct you to the correct hospital (often Hvidovre or Bispebjerg). Do not walk in without calling. |
| Outside Capital Region | Akutmodtagelse (Emergency Dept) at nearest large hospital | You do not need to call a central helpline first. Walk in directly. |
Major Hospitals
- Capital Region: Hvidovre Hospital (Kettegård Allé 30) or Bispebjerg Hospital (Bispebjerg Bakke 23).
- Aarhus: Aarhus University Hospital / AUH (Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99).
- Odense: Odense University Hospital / OUH (J.B. Winsløws Vej 4).
- Aalborg: Aalborg University Hospital (Hobrovej 18-22).
Do not go to your læge (GP) or try to get an appointment. GPs do not stock PEP and cannot prescribe it. In the Capital Region, call 1813. Elsewhere, go to Akutmodtagelse.
🗣️ Navigating Triage
At triage, or when calling 1813, be clear and specific to establish clinical urgency. Danish hospital staff speak English.
- Use the terminology: "Jeg har brug for post-eksponeringsprofylakse (PEP)." (I need post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).)
- State the timeline: "Jeg har haft en høj-risiko seksuel eksponering for HIV inden for de sidste [X] timer." (I have had a high-risk sexual exposure to HIV within the last [X] hours.)
- Be direct about the exposure: State exactly what happened (e.g., receptive anal sex without a condom) and the partner's status.
The Starter Pack: The hospital typically provides a 5–7 day starter pack of PEP. The follow-up is mandatory. Before the starter pack runs out, you must book a follow-up appointment with the Infectious Disease Department (Infektionsmedicinsk Afdeling) to complete the 28-day course. Keep your A&E discharge paperwork for this appointment.
💊 The Medication: What to Expect
The standard Danish 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
PEP is free for people with a Danish CPR number and Sundhedskort.
- EU/EEA visitors with EHIC card: Emergency care is covered at no charge.
- Non-EU visitors: Emergency care will be provided. You may receive a bill afterward — sort that out later. The virus doesn't wait.
- Without CPR: You will still be seen. Do not let uncertainty about costs delay you.
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