17/12/2025
Health Care Plus
Understanding the difference among PrEP, PEP, and ART.
1️⃣ PrEP – Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
?
- A person who is HIV-negative
?
-Before being exposed to HIV
it does:
- Uses ARV medicines to prevent HIV infection
be taken as:
-Daily oral tablets, or
-Long-acting injections
point:
➡️ PrEP greatly reduces the chance of getting HIV, but it does not treat HIV.
2️⃣ PEP – Post-Exposure Prophylaxis
?
A person who is HIV-negative but may have been recently exposed to HIV
(e.g., unprotected s*x, needle injury, r**e)
?
After exposure, but must start within 72 hours (3 days)
long?
-Taken for 28 days
it does:
- Stops HIV from establishing infection in the body
point:
➡️ PEP is an emergency treatment, not for regular use.
3️⃣ ART – Antiretroviral Therapy
?
- A person who is HIV-positive
?
- After HIV infection is confirmed
long?
-Lifelong treatment
it does:
- Reduces viral load (amount of HIV in the blood)
- Increases CD4 cells (strengthens the immune system)
- Helps people live long, healthy lives
- Prevents HIV transmission when viral load is undetectable (U=U)
🔑 Summary:
HIV Status Timing Purpose
PrEP HIV-negative Before exposure Prevent HIV
PEP HIV-negative After exposure (≤72 hrs) Prevent infection
ART HIV-positive After diagnosis Treat HIV.
National AIDS Commission
National Public Health Institute of Liberia-NPHIL
National AIDS Commission
Liberia National AIDS Commission
