Journal of Blood & Lymph

Low Adherence to Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Follow-Up, When Less Can Be More

Abstract

Elaine Monteiro Matsuda* and Luis Fernando de Macedo Brigido

Although Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is a powerful tool to abort HIV infection within 72 hours of exposure, blocking the establishment of chronic infection, follow-up metrics of this intervention are scarce. As antiretroviral use delays diagnosis biomarkers, so the moment to perform serological evaluations must consider this to avoid missing diagnosis. We assessed the adherence to follow up visits after PEP dispensation in a service in the Sao Paulo metropolitan area and reviewed the literature, both showing limited adherence to current protocols, leading to difficulties of diagnose early HIV infection. The current proposed date for the first return after PEP is both associated with low adherence and if infection has occurred, too early to detect antibodies in some patients. Guidelines should allow or promote a longer time for follow up visits after PEP discontinuation along with continued contact as with message reminders maximizing the benefit for both patient and community.