HIV Exposure Treatment

Treatment for exposure to HIV has been available to health-care workers for many years, but remains largely inaccessible to the public based upon recommendations from the National Institutes of Health's AIDSinfo panel. Though it's been shown to be effective, several factors make widespread availability difficult if not impossible.

Function

• Post-exposure prophylactic antiretroviral medication is only available with a prescription and is generally a three-drug combination taken for up to six weeks after exposure.

Availability

• The availability of post-exposure treatment depends largely on how you were exposed. Exposure in a medical setting is likely viewed as an accidental, one-time incident. Exposure in other settings due to unsafe behaviors might not be treated.

Cost

• AVERT, an international HIV and AIDS charity, estimates the medication cost at $1000 or more per month for a single drug. A typical three-pill regimen could cost $3000 or more for a single round of treatment.

Side Effects

• The National Institutes of Health lists antiretroviral side effects as skin rash, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, dizziness, urinary tract infection, kidney dysfunction and---in more severe cases---organ failure.

Effectiveness

• Post-exposure prophylactic medication is up to 70 percent effective if taken correctly, according to a study by D.K. Henderson, A.J. Saah, B.J. Zak and others. Not taking medication correctly can result in failure to prevent HIV infection.