PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a 28-day course of emergency HIV medication. It is free in Ireland and must be started within 72 hours of a high-risk exposure (like a condom breaking). The sooner you take it, the more effective it is.
🚨 Where to Go Right Now
Your route depends entirely on the time of day and what is open.
| Time / Day | Where to Go | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday (Daytime) | Local Public STI Clinic (e.g., GUIDE Clinic, GMHS) | Call ahead and state it is an emergency. They will prioritize you. |
| Evenings / Weekends / Bank Holidays | Hospital A&E (Emergency Department) | Expect to wait in triage. Say you need PEP for a sexual exposure. |
Do not go to a standard GP. General Practitioners do not stock PEP medication and will simply redirect you to A&E, wasting critical hours of your 72-hour window.
🗣️ What to Say at A&E Triage
A&E departments are incredibly busy. You need to be explicit so the triage nurse understands this is a time-sensitive sexual health emergency, not a minor injury.
- State your need: "I need an assessment for PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) following a sexual exposure."
- State the timeline: "The exposure was [X] hours ago. I know I have a 72-hour window."
- Explain the risk: Do not downplay it out of embarrassment. Tell them exactly what happened (e.g., receptive anal sex without a condom). They need the clinical facts to justify prescribing the antiretrovirals.
The Starter Pack: A&E will usually give you a "starter pack" of PEP medication (enough for 3 to 5 days). They will then refer you to the local STI clinic (like the GUIDE Clinic) on the next working day to get the prescription for the remainder of the 28-day course and follow-up blood tests.
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