On 4 March Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) is launching a PEP campaign, urging gay men in London to ‘Act Fast’ with PEP (post exposure prophylaxis).  PEP is a month long course of HIV treatment that may prevent HIV infection after the virus has entered the body.  The faster it’s taken after someone has put themselves at risk, the more likely it will work.

Although knowledge of PEP is increasing, the Gay Men’s Sex Survey 2007 showed that half of gay men had still never heard of PEP and many who had heard of it weren’t sure how, when or where to get it.

PEP can cause side effects including diahorrea, nausea and severe headaches.  It is not a substitute for condoms but may be able to prevent HIV infection if taken soon enough after exposure to HIV. 

Tom took PEP after a night out on the scene, “I ended up sleeping with a guy who didn’t use a condom. I’d told him to put one on but didn’t check and realised too late that he hadn’t.  It was a Friday evening so I went to A & E as I knew that GUM clinics would be closed.  The side-effects were pretty awful, I got headaches, terrible diarrhoea and experienced uncontrollable mood swings. I finished the course – it was a big commitment – and now I’m just waiting to see if it’s actually worked. It was great to have a fall-back against HIV but in future I’d much rather be stricter about using condoms, it just isn’t worth it.”

The new campaign will run for twelve weeks.  There will be adverts in the gay press, posters in gay venues and outreach work taking place across London. 

Marc Thompson, Deputy Head of Health Promotion at Terrence Higgins Trust said "It's essential we continue to raise awareness of PEP and the circumstances when it’s likely to be prescribed. It’s definitely not a substitute for condoms but if men have put themselves at risk they should act fast. 72 hours is the outer limit but the sooner you can take it, the better."

The PEP campaign has been funded by the Pan London HIV Prevention Partnership. Gay men bisexual men can find out more about PEP by visiting www.gmfa.org.uk/pep or calling the gay men's sexual health helpline on 0207 998 4161.

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Notes to editors

• Tom’s real name has not been used to protect his identity.
• Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK’s largest HIV and sexual health charity with centres across England, Scotland and Wales. We're here to provide information and advice about HIV and sexual health and offer a range of services including sexual health checks, counselling and support groups.  We campaign for a world where people with HIV live healthy lives, free from prejudice and discrimination and we promote good sexual health as a right and reality for all. Terrence Higgins Trust relies on donations to deliver a wide range of services. To make a donation, visit www.tht.org.uk