Public Health Service Guidelines for the Management of Possible Sexual, Injecting-Drug-Use, or Other Nonoccupational Exposure to HIV, Including Considerations Related to Antiretroviral Therapy

Conclusion

Because of the lack of efficacy data for the use of antiretroviral agents to reduce HIV transmission after a possible nonoccupational exposure, PHS is unable to recommend for or against this therapeutic approach. If such therapy is attempted, health-care providers must a) inform patients of the lack of data; b) select antiretroviral agents carefully and monitor their side effects and toxicities closely; c) address their patients' underlying risk-reduction needs (when applicable); and d) restrict the use of this therapy to high-risk exposures (e.g., unprotected receptive anal or vaginal intercourse with a known HIV-positive person). Research is needed to establish if and under what circumstances antiretroviral therapy following nonoccupational HIV exposure is effective.