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COVID-19

If you believe you have Coronavirus (COVID-19), or have developed a continuous cough, have a fever/high temperature, loss of smell or taste, or have come into contact in the last 14 days with someone who has; then please do NOT come into Sandyford. For further information about Coronavirus please visit NHS Inform.

PEP

COVID-19: Service Update

Sandyford are continuing to provide PEP for sexual exposure to HIV.

You must have an appointment to come into a Sandyford clinic. There is no walk in service at present. If you think you need a Sandyford service please call before attending on 0141 211 8130. A nurse will ask you questions to find out if PEP is suitable for you and give you an appointment if required. When Sandyford is closed you can access PEP at accident and emergency departments.

Please do not bring any other person with you to your appointment including children, partners, friends or family members. They will be asked to wait outside the building.

If you think you have been exposed to HIV you can reduce your risk of becoming infected by taking post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) which is a short course of medication.

How do I get PEP?

You do not need an appointment to access PEP. You can access PEP by coming to Sandyford Central during our opening hours. You will be seen by a nurse who will assess if PEP is suitable for you.

PEP can be taken up to 72 hours (3 days) after sexual exposure but is more likely to be effective within 24 hours (1 day) so it's important to act very quickly.

About HIV

NHS Inform website

What is PEP?

PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV) is a 4 week course of pills you can take if you have had a significant risk of exposure to HIV. The medication may stop you becoming infected with HIV.

How soon do you have to take PEP after you think you’ve been at risk of HIV?

PEP should be started as soon as possible because evidence suggests it is most effective when started within a few hours of exposure to HIV. PEP will not be given if it is more than 72 hours (3 days) since you think you have been at risk of HIV

How long do you have to take PEP for?

The PEP course of pills lasts 4 weeks. It is important not to miss any tablets and to take the tablets at the specified times.

Does PEP have side effects?

You may have some side effects such as nausea, diarrhoea, headaches, tiredness. Your doctor will discuss with you prior to prescribing PEP. You will need to have some blood tests during the PEP course to monitor its effects on your body.

If someone is taking PEP does it make them immune to HIV?

Taking PEP reduces the risk of HIV transmission after unprotected sex but does not eliminate it completely.

If someone stayed HIV negative after taking PEP and then had condomless sex, they can become infected with HIV just like any other HIV negative person.

Is it still important to use condoms?

Yes. It is still important to use condoms because:

Using a condom is more likely to stop HIV being passed on than PEP
condoms offer protection against pregnancy and STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis, whereas PEP does not
Condoms are easily available, whereas PEP may not be suitable and difficult to get

Find the nearest free condom venue to you.

When Sandyford is shut you can access PEP at Accident and Emergency services. Sandyford Central is open from 8.30 am to 7:00 pm Monday - Thursday and 8.40 am to 4:00 pm on a Friday.

NHS GGC A&E website