暴露后是否可以通过药物预防HIV？

是的。暴露后服用药物（称为暴露后预防，简称PEP）可以帮助防止感染HIV。但是，PEP必须在潜在暴露后的72小时内开始服用。

如果你认为自己最近在性行为中（例如避孕套破裂）或通过共享针头和其他用具（例如棉花、炊具、水）可能暴露于HIV，应该立刻与医疗提供者或急诊科医生讨论PEP的使用。越早开始PEP越好；每延迟一小时，效果可能会减少。如果你被开具PEP处方，通常需要每日服用一次或两次，持续28天。

在服用PEP期间，仍然需要与性伴侣使用避孕套，并采取安全的注射实践。

Can HIV Be Prevented with Medicine After Exposure?

Yes. Taking medicine after being potentially exposed to HIV, called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), can prevent you from becoming infected. However, PEP must be started within 72 hours of a possible exposure.

If you think you’ve recently been exposed to HIV during sex (for example, if the condom breaks) or through sharing needles and works to prepare drugs (such as cotton, cookers, or water), talk to your healthcare provider or an emergency room doctor about PEP right away. The sooner you start PEP, the better; every hour counts. If prescribed PEP, you’ll need to take it once or twice daily for 28 days.

While on PEP, you should continue to use condoms with sex partners and practice safe injection practices.