postexpositieprofylaxe
Postexposure prophylaxis, often abbreviated as PEP, refers to a short course of medication taken after a potential exposure to an infectious agent to prevent infection. This medical intervention is most commonly discussed in the context of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, where it is known as post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV, or PEP-HIV. PEP-HIV is a critical tool for preventing seroconversion when individuals have had unprotected sexual contact with someone whose HIV status is unknown or positive, or if they have shared needles or experienced a needle-stick injury. The medication regimen typically consists of antiretroviral drugs taken for 28 days, and it must be initiated as soon as possible after the exposure, ideally within hours, and no later than 72 hours.
Beyond HIV, the concept of postexposure prophylaxis also applies to other infectious diseases. For instance, rabies