Workshop on Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

[Guest guest]

[Editors note: Congratulations, Dr. Diwakar. This is a very timely and relevant

training session. Hope you also must have covered the scope of PEP for non

occupational exposure as well.

It is important to stress the role and scope of PEP for the survivors of sexual

violence in all settings. HIV Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is routinely

available for rape survivors and providing information about and counselling for

PEP is part of interventions for the survivors of sexual violence in many

developed countries. There is no justification for depriving PEP services for

women in India.]

Dar Forum Members,

One day workshop on HIV Post Exposure Prophylaxis was conducted by Regional AIDS

Training Center and Network in India RATNEI), International Health Organization

(IHO) for the paramedical staff and other administrative staff members of newly

functional Navjeevan Community Care Center for PLWHA at Kurji Holi Family

Hospital Campus, Patna yesterday.

Sister Fancia, Incharge of the community care center welcomed the guests. During

the session Dr Diwakar Tejaswi informed that by percutaneous exposure of HIV

infected needle there is on an average 0.3% chance of acquiring infection

whereas by the needle prick of Hepatitis B positive person (where both HBsAg and

HBeAg ) infected blood, there is 50% chance of acquiring the infection.

In HIV infected needle prick case if the Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

medication (2 or 3 drug combination, Basic/ Expanded Regimen depending upon

Source Code and Exposure Code), the chance of acquiring infection reduces by

more than 80% but PEP medication ideally be started within 6 hrs of exposure.

Dr Tejaswi stressed that all nursing homes, hospitals, labs etc  should keep PEP

medicine always available because the time of start of medicine is crucial.

In animal models, starting PEP after 72 hours of exposure resulted in no benefit

in prevetion of infection.

He cited with exapmle that in last 4 years 11 cases of accidental prick injury

with infected blood came to his notice but after timely PEP, none got the

infection (seroconverted ) after 6 months.

During the workshop it was stressed by him that Universal Work Precautions is

must during handling the blood, blood products, blood mixed fluids etc.

Dr Diwakar Tejaswi MBBS(Gold Medalist); MCH; FCCP; Ph.D.

Consultant Physician and Medical Director

Regional AIDS Training Centre and Network in India(RATNEI)

International Health Organization

India Office: B-33, Indirapuri Colony, Patna 800014, India

Phone: +91-612-3299323 (O); 2586788 (Telefax O); Clinic- Telefax:

+91-612-2206964; Mobile: +91-9835078298/ 9934361223; Res: +91-612-2351771

www.ihousa.org

e-mail: <diwakartejaswi@...>