HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) is launching a new guide for African communities with information on PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis). PEP is a month long course of treatment that may prevent HIV infection even after the virus has entered the body. The guide has been funded by the Pan-London HIV Prevention Programme to tackle high rates of HIV among Africans.

After HIV gets into someone’s bloodstream, it can take anywhere between a few hours and a few days before it infects them permanently. If someone acts within that short time, he or she may be able to stop HIV before the infection takes hold by taking a course of PEP. The faster it’s taken after someone has put themselves at risk, the more likely it will work.

Sarah, an African woman living in London, had to take PEP after the condom she was using split: “Because my husband is HIV positive, we both knew about PEP and that it could stop me getting infected. We also knew we had to act fast and get PEP as quickly as possible. PEP meant taking 12 pills a day for 28 days, which isn’t easy. But I never thought of stopping. It’s worth it.”

The new guide is available from 24 March and aims to reach more Africans with the facts. In the UK, African communities are the group at highest risk of contracting HIV; the most recent figures from 2007 show Africans represented around 40% of all new HIV diagnoses.

Marc Thompson, Deputy Head of Health Promotion at THT, says: “It is essential we raise awareness of PEP among African communities. It’s also important that people act fast if they’ve put themselves at risk. You can be prescribed PEP anywhere up to 72 hours after exposure to HIV but the sooner you can take it, the better.”

The PEP guide is available free of charge from African community organisations, sexual health clinics and Terrence Higgins Trust service centres in London. For further information, please contact Chinelo Njaka on 020 7812 1788, or email chinelo.njaka@tht.org.uk.

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Notes to Editor

1. Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK’s leading 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
2. Sarah’s real name has not been used to protect her identity.