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Reduce risk of HIV infection after exposure with PEP |
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December 20, 2005
A gay couple are set to launch a landmark legal action to improve access to a "morning after pill" for HIV. The two men have been granted legal aid on public interest grounds to take the government to court over the policy on post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). A month-long course of PEP, which uses anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs, can cut the risk of infection after exposure. One of the pair passed the virus to the other after a condom split, but they say they were unaware of the treatment.
PEP is routinely given to healthcare workers accidentally exposed to HIV at work and is made available to rape victims through police referral. To be most effective, it must be given immediately after exposure. It is also available on a case-by-case basis for those exposed through consensual sex, although the couple argue the public and doctors are not aware of this. The drugs are extremely toxic and the side-effects can include nausea, headache, diarrhoea and vomiting, but Swaine said most people would prefer to put up with that rather than risk infection with HIV. The Department of Health said there was little evidence that PEP was effective in cases other than "needle-stick" injuries to health care workers, but individual doctors could still prescribe the drugs. The case is likely to be heard at the High Court in early 2006. Source: BBC News Back to homepage |
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FACT
Many women forced to flee were already poor or otherwise vulnerable in the first place. Away from their partners and their communities, alone with their children, their vulnerability to sexual exploitation and violence is even higher. |
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