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 Florida, the Emergency Room is your 24/7 safety net.
🚨 Where to Go Right Now
Your route depends entirely on the time of day and where you are located.
| Time / Day | Where to Go | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday Daytime (South FL) | Care Resource or Latinos Salud | Urgent PEP assessment. Call ahead. |
| Weekday Daytime (Tampa Bay) | Metro Inclusive Health | Urgent assessment. Call ahead. |
| Weekday Daytime (Statewide) | CAN Community Health | Call your nearest CAN location for urgent care. |
| Evenings / Weekends / Anywhere | Nearest hospital Emergency Room | EMTALA law mandates emergency assessment regardless of insurance. |
| Remote / Rural / No ER | Telehealth (PlushCare / MISTR) | Some platforms can issue emergency PEP bridge prescriptions within hours. |
The clock is running from the moment of exposure. Do not wait for a clinic to open on Monday if it is Friday night. Go to the nearest ER.
🗣️ Navigating Triage
Whether at a clinic or ER, explain the situation clearly. Not all ER doctors in Florida are specialists in sexual health, so you must be direct.
- At the ER Triage: "I've had a potential HIV exposure and I need PEP — Post-Exposure Prophylaxis."
- State the timeline: "The exposure was [X] hours ago. I know I have a 72-hour window."
- Be direct about the exposure: Explain exactly what happened (e.g., receptive anal sex without a condom). The doctor needs the facts to assess clinical risk.
The Starter Pack: ERs will typically give you a 3-to-5-day starter supply of PEP. The follow-up is mandatory. You must follow up at a community clinic (like Care Resource or Metro) or your doctor the next business day for the full 28-day course. Do not stop early.
💊 The Medication: What to Expect
The standard US PEP regimen is strictly a three-drug combination. This is typically Truvada (TDF/FTC) paired with dolutegravir (Tivicay), or the single-tablet Biktarvy.
- It is a strict regimen: PEP is a mandatory 28-day course. You cannot miss doses.
- Side effects are manageable: You may experience nausea, fatigue, or diarrhea, particularly in the first week. The clinic can prescribe anti-sickness medication.
- Do not stop: Never stop taking PEP without speaking to a doctor first. An incomplete course does not protect you.
💵 Cost
- ACA Insurance: Covered; check your copay.
- Uninsured (ER): Under the federal EMTALA law, ERs must provide emergency medical assessment regardless of your insurance status or ability to pay. Billing is resolved after the fact. Do not let cost stop you from going to the ER.
- Gilead Advancing Access: Provides free PEP medication for uninsured patients; major LGBTQ+ clinics can help enrol you quickly.
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