Post exposure prophylaxis: Where are we now?

[Guest guest]

Moderators note: The following news item underscore the need for

Post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) education among the physicians and

the community as well. According to the NACO guideline, PEP is

exclusively reserved for Occupational exposure- means only for

health care workers and specifically for needle-stick/sharp

injuries.

Even though the responsibility of the infection control

officers to report all needles stick injuries to the SACS in a

Performa and the SASCS to inform NACO. Eventhough, a registry is

being planned by NACO no public data on the number of PEP cases

reported to NACO is available. Perhaps, based on the latest evidence

available NACO may have to review the policy of PEP only for health

care workers.

There is no justification on why a women/girl or

man/boy who is sexually assaulted should not receive PEP?

NACO Guidelines For Post Exposure prophylaxis

URL: http://www.nacoonline.org/guidelines/guideline_7.pdf

File Size:100729 Bytes

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'HIV infection through sex avoidable'

Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 07: In a landmark development, transmission of

HIV/AIDS through sexual relationship with an infected person can be

prevented if the tablet Post Exposure Prophilisist (NEP) is taken

within two hours of having sex, said HIV/AIDS in charge of JN

Hospital L Radharani.

She observed that sex has become the dominant mode of HIV

transmission and large number of women are increasingly falling

victim to the virus.

If a woman happens to have sex with an HIV infected man,

transmission of the virus can be effectively checked provided she

takes Post Exposure Prophilisist tablets within two hours of having

sex.

Moreover, if she takes the tablet for 28 days, she can be saved

from AIDS even if she is infected with HIV, asserted Radharani.

Disclosing that the tablet is now available at RIMS and JN Hospital,

she appealed to all women doubtful of their sexual partner to come

to RIMS or JN Hospital for medical counselling and for the tablets

if necessary.

Taking into account the high percentage of HIV infection in the

State, and even in case of rape the victim should be given the NEP

tablets whether it is confirmed or not that the accused is/are HIV

positive, noted Radharani.

Speaking as a resource person in a training programme on HIV/AIDS at

Hotel Excellency today, L Radharani dealt on 'Sex and Sexuality'.

Admitting that sexual urge is natural for mankind, she observed that

even then " we must be aware of several STDs and their preventive

measures.

Life threatening diseases like AIDS should never be compromised with

momentary sexual pleasure, " she remarked.

The programme organised by Hands Peaceful Society was also addressed

by Dr K Priyokumar who presented a paper on Basic Facts of

HIV/AIDS, STI, RTI, Dr RK Niranjan on Support and Care-People

Living With HIV/AIDS and project manager of Hands Peaceful Society

M Puspakanta on Rapid Intervention and Care.

Since the RIAC project was initiated by MACS in 1998, transmission

of HIV through intravenous drug abuse has come down to 20 percent

which accounted for 80 percent in the initial period, mentioned

Puspakanta.

http://www.e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=4..080406.apr06

Cross posted from NEIHRNers