Postexposure Prophylaxis

If there is a possibility that an individual has been exposed to the HIV infection that develops into AIDS, an antiretroviral is available called Postexposure Prophylaxis or "PEP". This treatment is intended to prevent the actual infection of HIV from taking place.

Many use this if they have been personally subjected to the virus, but there are many individuals that use the Postexposure Prophylaxis in a precautionary manner. This usually occurs in an occupational setting. Since individuals that work in health care facilities are consistently exposed to individuals that may have HIV, more and more facilities are starting to make this treatment mandatory.

If an individual is exposed to HIV, the Postexposure Prophylaxis is a sound means to preventing a more challenging health issue to arise. For individuals that are subjected to body fluids from a potential AIDS patient, there are certain guidelines that should be followed. First, the fluids should be removed from the body as soon as possible.

The area should be cleaned with rubbing alcohol as quickly as possible. If another individual is bleeding, the area should be cleaned and immediately bandaged in order to successfully limit the amount of fluids that people and objects in the area are subjected to.

Data received from studies surrounding Postexposure Prophylaxis have indicated that if this type of treatment is administered within a period of three days after potential exposure, it may successfully combat the chance that the virus will settle into the body.

While there are many different treatments available today that successfully treat the symptoms associated with AIDS and HIV, there is no 100% preventive measure apart from following the basic preventive measures such as refraining from sex, avoiding substance abuse that involves needles and sharing objects that may contain traces of human body fluids.