Research Topic · Peer-Reviewed

Post-exposure Prophylaxis

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a short course of preventive treatment given after a known or suspected exposure to a pathogen, with the aim of preventing established infection. It is best characterized for HIV, where prompt initiation of antiretroviral medication, ideally within hours and no later than a defined…

Curated from this journal's research 📚 9 peer-reviewed articles cited Cited 34× across the literature 🔖 ISSN 2324-7339 🗓 Reviewed October 2026

Overview

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a short course of preventive treatment given after a known or suspected exposure to a pathogen, with the aim of preventing established infection. It is best characterized for HIV, where prompt initiation of antiretroviral medication, ideally within hours and no later than a defined window after exposure, followed by a complete multi-week regimen, substantially reduces the likelihood of seroconversion. PEP is also used for other transmissible agents, including hepatitis B and rabies, where it may combine vaccination with immunoglobulin or antimicrobials. Indications include occupational exposures such as needlestick injuries among healthcare and laboratory workers, and non-occupational exposures such as sexual assault and high-risk sexual contact. Effective delivery depends on rapid risk assessment, timely access to medication, adherence support over the full course, and follow-up testing. PEP is distinct from pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which is taken before potential exposure by people at ongoing risk; the two are complementary strategies within a broader prevention framework that also includes screening, counseling, and linkage to care. Awareness, acceptability, and adherence vary across populations and settings, and barriers to access can limit effectiveness. As a time-sensitive intervention, PEP is an important component of infection prevention and of comprehensive HIV and broader disease-prevention programs.

Research published in this journal

9 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.

How this research is being cited

The 9 articles above have been cited 34 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.

A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Post-exposure Prophylaxis, linking to each citing work.

Editorial oversight

Curated from peer-reviewed research published in Clinical Research In HIV AIDS And Prevention (ISSN 2324-7339).

Journal editorial board
Dr. Denise Evans · South Africa Katie Kramer, MSW/MPH · USA Catherine Medina · United States

This page summarises published research for orientation; it is not medical or professional advice.