I think I’ve been exposed to HIV. Can I start taking PrEP to prevent infection?
我想我已经暴露于 HIV。我可以开始服用 PrEP 来预防感染吗？
No. PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) can only prevent HIV when taken consistently BEFORE exposure. PrEP cannot be started as a method of treatment AFTER an event of HIV exposure (such as sex without a condom, needle-sharing drug use, or sexual assault). PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) is the 28-day treatment regimen recommended for people who’ve been exposed to HIV. If you think you have been exposed to HIV, it is important that you start taking PEP as soon as possible. PEP is only effective if taken within 72 hours of possible HIV exposure. If you are exposed to HIV during a weekend, or you cannot make an appointment for the next day with your primary care doctor, go to an emergency room for immediate treatment. Do not wait more than 36 hours to start PEP treatment. If you are currently taking PEP, talk to your doctor before starting PrEP. Blood testing and a short wait time are required to make sure you are HIV-negative after finishing a PEP regimen.
PrEP（暴露前预防）只有在暴露前持续服用才能预防艾滋病毒。PrEP 不能作为一种治疗方法在艾滋病病毒感染事件（如不戴安全套的性行为、共用针头吸毒或性侵犯）发生后开始使用。
PEP（暴露后预防）是推荐给暴露于 HIV 感染者的 28 天治疗方案。如果您认为自己已经暴露于 HIV，请务必尽快开始服用 PEP。PEP 只有在可能暴露于 HIV 后 72 小时内服用才有效。
如果您在周末暴露于 HIV，或者无法与您的主治医生预约第二天的就诊时间，请立即前往急诊室接受治疗。开始 PEP 治疗的等待时间不要超过 36 小时。
如果您目前正在服用 PEP，请在开始 PrEP 之前与您的医生讨论。在完成 PEP 治疗后，需要进行血液检测和短暂等待，以确保您的 HIV 检测结果为阴性。