When I was recently getting STD tested I saw a brochure for PEP which is a 4 week course of drugs that "may" prevent you from becoming HIV positive after risky unprotected behaviour. In fact it was actually promoted to me by the nurse that if I ever have unprotected sex to ring the 24 hour hot line within 72 hours so they can start the treatment immediately. So this is taken even if your not HIV positive. I never knew about this and was actually surprised that it even existed and it has huge side effects. If I was ever in the situation I would be highly reluctant to use it. I'm researching this further. Does anyone know anything more about or had experience with PEP or in regards to "The CDC recommends PEP for any HIV negative person who has recently been exposed to HIV for any reason"

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-exposure_prophylaxis

 

It maybe a touchy subject but I feel its important for us as gay guys to get as much info about this as possible, so that if we are ever in this situation we are informed

Come on guys, this is an important issue. This forum seems to be more sensible than the others. Its not just about the gogo bars and hot Asian guys lol . I can see one day a gay guy being lured into PEP treatment just for having unsafe sex without being INFORMED. Remember there are huge side effects of this treatment and who knows what else? The treatment seems to be aimed at gay guys and not straight guys, so why the distinction? 

 

Any feed back? I tried to add a poll but cant, maybe admin can add it to the thread please

 

If you had risky unprotected behaviour would you take PEP?

 

Yes or No

There is a med, Truvada, which taken prior to HIV infection, and on a regular basis, does prevent HIV.

 

There was a recent article in NY Times dated Dec 30, 2013 regarding Truvada.

Any feed back? I tried to add a poll but cant, maybe admin can add it to the thread please

 

If you had risky unprotected behaviour would you take PEP?

 

Yes or No

 

 

I'd avoid "risky unprotected behavior" in the first place. I wouldn't count on something like PEP bailing me out.

 

That said, if an accident were to happen, I'd consider PEP. But I'd need much more information. From that point of view, I think it's great that you've raised this subject, because it would be a mess to come to an informed decision once in that situation and in a hurry.

Thank you Alexx for your support with finding out more about this. I agree 100% to avoid risky unprotected behaviour in the first place. The issue is, when I picked up my results and all was negative the nurse said that if I ever have unprotected sex to ring the 24 hour hot line within 72 hours so they can start the PEP treatment immediately. I thought WTF I would need time to think about this and research it as it involves being pumped full of 2 or 3 anti HIV drugs (anti retrovirals) and the jury is still out on HIV after 31 years let alone anti retrovirals. The debate about HIV is still real and alive. I'm not in either camp, as a gay guy, like all of us here, I just like to be informed

 

Thanks kokopelli, I will Google for more info