health news
from November 2006

Terrence Higgins Trust is urging gay men across the country to tell each other about PEP - post exposure prophylaxis - a month-long course of HIV treatment that may prevent HIV infection after the virus has entered the body.

Last year, THT and its partners in the CHAPS programme ran a campaign to increase awareness of PEP, with the campaign doubling men’s awareness of the emergency treatment: the campaign is running again from 1st November.

Will Nutland, Head of Health Promotion at Terrence Higgins Trust said ‘It’s important that we continue to raise our awareness about PEP and the circumstances when PEP is likely to be prescribed. PEP needs to be taken as soon after exposure to HIV as possible - within hours - and the number of clinics offering PEP has increased over the last 18 months.’

Gay men and bisexual men can obtain copies of THT’s PEP information booklet by calling the number below, or you can visit their website.