PEP & PrEP

Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is immediate treatment that may prevent infection after being exposed to HIV. This may include:

• Unprotected sexual exposure with someone who is known to be HIV positive
• Injuries like physical or sexual assault
• Exposure through injection drug use or sharing equipment
• A needle-stick injury or an exposure to blood, semen or vaginal fluid that gets into the    bloodstream via a cut or open wound-sore or comes into contact with a mucous membrane (eyes, nose, mouth).

*PEP treatment must start within 72 hours of the exposure – ideally, within the first 24 hours. PEP treatment involves taking HIV medications for 28 days. For more information please contact our office at 850-595-6345 or your personal healthcare professional.

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)is treatment with medications that may prevent infection before being exposed to HIV. PrEP is not medication alone. The medication is taken daily after undergoing some laboratory testing for renal health (kidneys), laboratory screening for HIV, viral hepatitis and other STDs, medical assessment of a seropositive partner, if indicated, and a coordinated program of risk assessment, risk-reduction counseling, treatment adherence counseling and sexual health education. Persons taking PrEP should also continue to use other proven prevention strategies including condoms and safer sexual practices. The caregiver will also address other considerations for women of child-bearing age. PrEP may be provided through your local healthcare professional. PrEP is now available at the DOH-Escambia County. 

Please call 850-595-6345 to make an appointment or for more information.

Additional Resources 

nPEP Resource Tool (546 KB; pdf)

Florida Department of Health PrEP Toolkit for Healthcare Providers (1 MB; pdf)

Florida Department of Health nPEP Toolkit for Healthcare Providers (1 MB; pdf)

Location & Contact Information 

Fairfield Service Center, 1295 West Fairfield Drive

The Area 1 HIV/AIDS office is open Monday-Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM.

Call 850-595-6345 for more information.