It's likely you are at risk.

From the information you’ve given us, it seems there is a risk that you have come into contact with HIV.

What to do now

When people have been put at risk of HIV there's a treatment called PEP that may prevent HIV infection after the virus has entered the body:

PEP stands for Post Exposure Prophylaxis
It involves taking anti-HIV drugs for four weeks
It must be started as soon as possible after unsafe sex or a condom not working – ideally within 24 hours but definitely within 72 hours (three days)
There can be side effects such as diarrhoea, nausea and prolonged headaches
PEP isn’t guaranteed to work.

Go straight to your nearest sexual health clinic or hospital accident and emergency department . It's important that you do not exceed the 72 hour time limit, as PEP is not likely to be prescribed any later than this.

Staff should already know about PEP.

You will need to explain to the doctor when and how you were at risk and any other relevant information (eg. your partner’s HIV status, the type of sex you had etc).

If either partner is HIV positive, the doctor will also need to know their viral load. This will be taken into consideration as they decide whether or not to prescribe PEP, so take that information with you if you have it.

PEP is not a cure for HIV and is not guaranteed to prevent HIV from taking hold once the virus has entered the body. Condoms and lube for sex remain the most efficient way of preventing the spread of HIV.

Other things to think about

If you are seeking PEP following a sexual assault it is important to tell the medical staff. Sexual assault can cause internal physical trauma that can make it easier for HIV to be passed on. Sexual assault is a crime and the police are there to help you if you choose to report it. If you are concerned about going straight to the police, you might like to phone the Survivors helpline on 0845 12 21 201 who can give support and help you find services.

Before receiving PEP, you will probably be asked to take an HIV test. It is essential to check that you didn’t already have HIV before this risk. This is because taking PEP if you already have HIV can cause complications for treating HIV in the future.

If you know the person you had sex with had HIV, then the medical staff might ask you whether you know their most recent Viral Load test results, or whether they are on anti-HIV treatments, and whether you know which ones. Anything you can tell them will be helpful in the decision about whether to prescribe you PEP. If the person you had sex with was a regular partner, you may be able to go to their HIV clinic, or ask them to come with you to try and get PEP.