PEP (Profilaxie Post-Expunere — PPE in Romanian) 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 Romania, PEP is free.
🚨 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Anytime | Camera de Gardă (emergency department) | 24/7 capacity. They will assess risk and initiate PEP. |
Major Hospitals
- Bucharest (Primary): Institutul Național de Boli Infecțioase "Prof. Dr. Matei Balș" (Str. Dr. Calistrat Grozovici 1). Romania's national infectious diseases reference hospital.
- Bucharest (Alternative): Spitalul Clinic de Boli Infecțioase și Tropicale "Victor Babeș" (Mihai Bravu 281).
- Outside Bucharest: Any major hospital Camera de Gardă can initiate PEP or stabilise you for transfer.
Do not go to your medic de familie (GP / family doctor). They cannot prescribe PEP. Go directly to the hospital Camera de Gardă.
🗣️ Navigating Triage
At the Camera de Gardă, state your needs clearly so they can assess the risk properly.
- Use the terminology: "Am nevoie de PEP pentru HIV." (I need PEP for HIV).
- State the timeline: "A fost acum mai puțin de 72 de ore." (It was less than 72 hours ago). Tell them exactly how long ago it was.
- Be direct about the exposure: Explain exactly what happened. If you prefer, you can describe the exposure as "unprotected sexual contact with a partner of unknown HIV status" without specifying details of the act.
The Starter Pack: The hospital will give you either a starter pack (a few days of medication) or the full 28-day course immediately. If you receive only a starter pack, the follow-up is mandatory. Follow up at the Matei Balș outpatient department or through ARAS to complete the course.
💊 The Medication: What to Expect
The standard Romanian PEP regimen usually consists of Truvada (or a generic equivalent) taken alongside an integrase inhibitor — typically 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 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: You may face administrative questions, but in practice PEP is not refused for cost reasons at these hospitals.
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