fck. Fck Mag June/July 2017 | Page 18

health class. Talk about PEP WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU’RE EXPOSED TO HIV? You had unprotected sex with a stranger who casually drops that they’re HIV positive and they probably should have mentioned that before. You panic, thinking “You’re goddamn right you should have!” and pace back and forth frantically in the apartment, with vivid thoughts playing in your mind of your future non-existent love life. Don’t panic; You have options available should you be exposed, but you have to act fast. Zahid Somani, pharmacist-owner of the Village Pharmacy sat down for an interview to let you know what to do. 18 | fck. WHAT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR SOMEONE POTENTIALLY EXPOSED TO HIV? Zahid: PEP is an anti-HIV drug combo used to prevent infection following high-risk exposure. It only works if used within 72 hours after exposure, ideally within the first day. In the majority of cases, when treatment is started in time, you won’t become HIV positive. @fckmag