Unprotected sex and HIV exposure:
what to do right now.
If you’ve had a possible HIV exposure, the most important thing to know is this: you have up to 72 hours to start PEP, and every hour counts.
Medically reviewed by Jude Ozioko, Pharmacist (PCN 024035) • Last reviewed October 2026
⏳ Still within 72 hours of exposure? Don’t finish reading. Get PEP first. Order on WhatsApp →
This article walks you through what PEP is, why timing matters so much, how to get it, and what to expect once you start. If you’re within your 72-hour window right now, stop reading and order PEP now. You can come back and finish this later.
What is PEP?
PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is a short course of HIV medicine that can stop HIV from taking hold in your body after a possible exposure. It blocks the virus from copying itself in your cells before it has the chance to spread.
PEP only works if you start it quickly enough, and only if you take it correctly for the full 28 days. Both conditions matter.
72 hours is the deadline, not the target.
The window for starting PEP is 72 hours from the moment of exposure. What most people don’t realise is that 72 hours is the absolute limit, not the goal. PEP works best when started as early as possible, ideally within the first few hours. The longer you wait, the lower the chance it works.
What counts as a possible HIV exposure?
- Vaginal or anal sex without a condom, with a partner whose HIV status is unknown or positive.
- A condom that burst or slipped during sex with a partner who could have HIV.
- Sharing needles or injection equipment.
- A needlestick injury at work.
- Sexual assault.
Not every encounter carries the same risk. If there’s any genuine doubt, it’s better to ask and let us assess your situation than to wait and hope. Our 2-minute risk check can help.
How to get PEP through Zivoko.
Zivoko delivers PEP discreetly to your door anywhere in Nigeria: within hours in our 13 hub cities, and within 24 hours at the latest everywhere else. No hospital queues.
Share brief details of your exposure. We confirm PEP is right for you in minutes.
Plain, unbranded packaging, sent straight after clearance.
Within hours in hub cities, within 24 hours elsewhere. Night delivery in Lagos and Abuja.
What happens after you start PEP?
Take it every day for 28 days without interruption. Stopping early, even if you feel fine, can stop it working.
- Have a baseline HIV test when you start, to confirm your status.
- Use condoms during your course and until your 3-month test is negative, to protect your partners.
- Test again at 4 to 6 weeks after the exposure, and take a final test at 3 months. See what happens after PEP.
Questions about PEP timing.
QCan I start PEP after 72 hours?
No. After 72 hours, PEP is no longer recommended because it’s unlikely to prevent infection. If you’re past the window, message us anyway and we’ll help with HIV testing and next steps.
QWhat if I’m not sure exactly when it happened?
Err on the side of caution and message us straight away. We’ll help you work out the likely window. Uncertainty isn’t a reason to delay. It’s a reason to act sooner.
QDoes PEP work 100% of the time?
No medicine is 100% guaranteed. But PEP is highly effective when started early and taken correctly for all 28 days. The earlier you start, the better your protection. See can PEP fail?
QIs PEP the same as PrEP?
No. PEP is taken after a possible exposure, as an emergency treatment. PrEP is taken before any exposure, to keep you protected over time. If you’ve needed PEP more than once, PrEP is almost certainly the better option. Compare them in which PrEP is right for you.
The clock is already running. Don’t lose the window.
PEP works, but only if you take it in time. We can get PEP to you today, discreetly and without judgement. If you’re within 72 hours of a possible exposure, message us now, day or night.
Order PEP on WhatsApp →Safe. Private. Reliable.
Zivoko: HIV prevention delivered to your door, anywhere in Nigeria.
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