The short explanation
Act quickly, but try not to panic. There is a treatment called post-exposure prophylaxis, PEP, that can greatly reduce the chance of HIV infection if started as soon as possible after exposure, and within 72 hours. Since this happened last night, you are within that window. Go today to a hospital emergency department, an ART centre, an ICTC or an STI clinic and ask about PEP. A doctor will assess the risk, do baseline tests and decide whether PEP is suitable. PEP is a short course of medicines taken for about four weeks, with follow-up tests. Emergency contraception should also be considered if you are not using another method, and testing for other STIs will be planned.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- The risk of HIV from a single exposure is usually low, but PEP is offered when the risk is significant or unknown.
- PEP is available free at many government hospitals in India. Bring any ID if you have it, but do not delay if you do not.
- Use condoms with new partners until you have had follow-up tests.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This answer cannot tell your risk or whether PEP is right for you. A doctor needs to assess you urgently.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Do I need PEP, and can I start today?
- What tests will you do now and later?
- Do I need emergency contraception?
- Should I be tested for other STIs?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Emergency — call 112 now
- Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department today to ask about PEP, as it works best when started as early as possible and within 72 hours.
Get help the same day
- Get care the same day at an ART centre, ICTC, STI clinic or hospital emergency if you cannot reach 112.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Attend all follow-up tests after PEP as advised.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) World Health Organization
- Sexually transmitted infections MedlinePlus (NIH)
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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