This page is general health information, not medical advice. It cannot tell you whether you have an infection. A clinician can, and the testing options on this site are a good place to start.

If something happened in the last few days that worries you, you still have options. PEP is a short course of emergency HIV medication that a clinician can prescribe after a possible exposure. The CDC says it must be started as soon as possible, and no later than 72 hours after the exposure.

This guide walks through what to do, in order. It also covers where to start in Austin, what to bring, and how follow-up testing works.

If it has been less than 72 hours, start with Step 1 now and read the rest afterward.

What PEP is, in plain words

PEP stands for post-exposure prophylaxis. People often search for it as "PEP HIV" or "emergency HIV medication." The idea is simple. A clinician prescribes HIV medicines that you take for a set time after a possible exposure. The CDC says these medicines can lower the chance that HIV takes hold.

A few points to keep in mind:

PEP is for emergencies. It is not meant to replace everyday prevention.
Only a clinician can decide whether PEP fits your situation and which medicines to use.
The CDC describes a 28-day course. Your clinician will explain exactly how to take it.
HIV is not curable, but it is treatable and manageable. Modern care helps people with HIV live long, healthy lives.

PEP is different from doxy-PEP. In 2024 the CDC issued guidance on doxy-PEP, which is aimed at certain bacterial STIs. It is not a substitute for HIV PEP. If you want to talk about either one, ask a clinician which applies to you.

Who can talk to a clinician about PEP

Anyone of any gender or orientation can ask about PEP. The CDC lists situations where a clinician may consider it, such as sex without a condom, a shared needle or other injection equipment, or sexual assault. You do not have to explain your life or defend your choices. Clinicians who provide PEP are used to these conversations.

This page cannot tell you whether you were exposed to HIV. A clinician can talk through what happened and decide what to offer.

Materials you will need

You can still go with less. Do not delay care to collect everything on this list.

The time of the exposure. Your best estimate is fine. The 72-hour window starts from that moment.
A phone. You may need it to call a clinic and to set reminders.
A list of your current medicines and any allergies. This helps the clinician choose safely.
Insurance information, if you have it. If you do not have insurance, say so. Several Austin clinics have options, covered below.
A trusted person, if you want one. This is optional.
A way to get to follow-up visits. You will likely return for testing after the first visit.

Step-by-step: how to get PEP in Austin

Step 1. Write down the time and act quickly

Note when the exposure happened. The CDC says PEP works best when started as soon as possible, and no later than 72 hours after. Every hour matters, so make the next call or trip your first task.

If you are unsure about the timing, say so to the clinician. They can still help you decide what makes sense.

Step 2. Choose where to go based on the hour

Where you go first depends on what time it is.

Any hour, any day: a hospital emergency department. Emergency departments are open around the clock. If it is evening, overnight, a weekend or a holiday, this is the route that is always available. The clinic and health department pages we relied on do not list specific Austin emergency departments or say which ones stock PEP, so call the hospital or ask at the front desk when you arrive. You can say you are there for PEP after a possible HIV exposure.

Weekdays and clinic hours: sexual health clinics. Several Austin clinics list services that include PEP:

Kind Clinic (Texas Health Action) lists PEP as a service. The Austin Koenig location is at 101 W Koenig Lane, Ste 100, Austin, TX 78751, phone 833-937-5463. Its listed hours are Monday, Tuesday and Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm, Wednesday and Thursday 9:00am to 8:00pm, and certain Saturdays 9:00am to 2:00pm. Kind Clinic's site says it is closed on all observed holidays and the first Friday of every month. Call before you go, especially if you are close to the 72-hour mark.
ASHwell Sexual Health + Wellness lists PEP among its services at 3100 Red River St, Suite 3, Austin, TX 78705, phone (512) 900-3116. ASHwell says it does not currently accept walk-ins, so call first.
CommUnityCare Health Centers says it offers PrEP, PEP and HIV care across the organization. Its HIV appointment line is 512-978-9100. The page does not say that PEP is offered at every location, so ask when you call.

If you call a clinic and cannot get an appointment inside the window, do not wait. Go to an emergency department.

Step 3. Tell the clinician what happened

Be as direct as you are comfortable being. Useful details include when it happened, the type of exposure, and whether you know anything about the other person's HIV status. If you do not know, that is a common answer and it is fine to say so.

Share your medical history, current medicines, allergies, and whether you could be pregnant. These details affect which medicines a clinician chooses. Nothing you say should be met with judgment. If you feel judged, you can ask for a different clinician.

Step 4. Get your baseline testing

Before or when you start PEP, the CDC says a clinician will do baseline testing, including an HIV test. This gives a starting point for later comparison. A clinician may also offer tests for other STIs and may check things like kidney function. What they order is their call, based on your situation.

Do not hold up the first dose of PEP while you wait for results. Ask the clinician how they handle the timing.

Step 5. Ask the right questions before you leave

Before you walk out, it helps to ask:

Which medicines am I being prescribed, and for how long?
What side effects might I notice, and what should I do about them?
What should I do if I miss a dose?
When are my follow-up visits and tests?
Who do I call if I have questions or run into a problem?

Write the answers down or take a photo of the instructions. Your clinician's directions take priority over anything on this page.

Step 6. Take the full course as prescribed

The CDC describes a 28-day PEP course. Taking it as directed is what gives it the best chance of working. Many people set a daily phone alarm or attach the medicine to something they already do every day.

If side effects bother you, call the prescriber instead of stopping on your own. There are often ways to manage them, and a clinician can adjust the plan.

Step 7. Complete your follow-up testing

PEP does not end when the pills run out. The CDC calls for follow-up HIV testing in the weeks and months after an exposure, and your clinician will set the exact dates. Your clinician may also recommend repeat testing for other STIs.

Follow-up testing is how you and your care team find out how things stand. Put the dates in your calendar before you leave the first visit.

For affordable testing in Austin, the local testing list covers clinics, costs and what each one tests for. You can also use the CDC's locator at gettested.cdc.gov to find testing sites by ZIP code.

Step 8. Plan for prevention going forward

Once the emergency has passed, ask the clinician about ongoing options. For some people, PrEP is a daily or long-acting way to prevent HIV before an exposure happens. Condoms, regular testing and open conversations with partners also lower risk. These are choices, not obligations, and a clinician can help you pick what fits your life.

What it costs in Austin

Cost should not be the reason someone skips PEP, and several local options exist. Prices can change, so confirm by phone.

ASHwell says on its services page that its services are always free, although there may be costs relating to medication. It also lists PrEP office visits and labs at $0 out-of-pocket. Ask what applies to PEP medication.
CommUnityCare says its sliding fee scale is set through a meeting with a Financial Eligibility Specialist.
Kind Clinic says patients with health insurance must use it for lab work, and its Kind Patient Assistance Program (KPAP) can help cover lab costs if you are uninsured or cannot afford them. Its FAQs also say KPAP and Kind Advocates help patients get medications at little to no cost.
Emergency departments bill in their own way. Ask about financial assistance at the hospital. The pages we relied on do not publish emergency room prices.

Austin Public Health also runs a Sexual Health Clinic at the RBJ Health Center, 15 Waller Street, Austin, TX 78702, phone 512-972-5430. Its page says the fee for testing and treatment is only $30 and the standard tests are HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia. The page does not list PEP, so if you need emergency medication, call first and ask. This clinic may be a good place for follow-up testing. Austin Public Health's site notes that content updates may be delayed, so confirm hours and fees by phone. The listed hours are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 5 p.m.

If you are under 18

Texas Family Code Section 32.003 lets a minor of any age consent to diagnosis and treatment of a reportable infectious disease. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) says this includes HIV. Parent or guardian consent is not required for that care.

The same statute says a physician may tell a parent or guardian about the treatment, with or without the minor's consent. It is permitted, not required. If privacy matters to you, ask the clinic about it before the visit begins.

Tips that make the process easier

Call ahead, but do not wait for a callback. If you cannot reach a clinic quickly and the clock is running, go to an emergency department.
Use a phone alarm. A daily reminder helps you finish the full course.
Ask for written instructions. It is easy to forget details when you are stressed.
Bring your pharmacy details. If a prescription is sent elsewhere, the clinic will need to know where.
Be honest about other medicines and supplements. Some can interact with HIV medicines.
Look after yourself. A stressful week is easier with sleep, food and a person to talk to.

Common mistakes to avoid

Waiting to see if it feels serious. The 72-hour window is the CDC's limit for starting PEP, so earlier is better.
Going to a clinic that is closed. Check the hours, especially on weekends, holidays and Kind Clinic's first Fridays.
Stopping early because you feel fine or have side effects. Talk to the prescriber first.
Skipping follow-up testing. The tests after PEP are part of the plan.
Relying on a home test in the first days. The CDC describes follow-up testing as part of PEP care, so ask your clinician which test and which date apply to you.
Feeling ashamed and delaying care. Clinicians see this every day. Your health is the only thing that matters in that room.

Expected results

The CDC says PEP can lower the chance of getting HIV after a possible exposure, especially when it starts quickly and is taken exactly as prescribed. It does not work every time, and it works best when started as early as possible. That is why follow-up testing matters.

Some people have side effects while on PEP, such as an upset stomach or tiredness. Your clinician can tell you what is common and what should prompt a call.

Follow-up tests are how a clinician confirms the outcome. If a test result is positive, you are not alone. HIV is treatable, and the clinics above also provide HIV care or can connect you to it.

Why this matters in Travis County

The CDC's HIV Surveillance Data Release Tables for 2024 list 235 new HIV diagnoses in Travis County, a rate of 20.0 per 100,000 people aged 13 and older. Those numbers reflect a community where knowing your options is useful. Texas also requires some infections, including HIV, to be reported to public health authorities. The Texas DSHS notifiable conditions list sets the timeframes.

Other free testing options in Austin

Beyond the clinics above, Austin has several no-cost or low-cost testing options for HIV and other STIs:

Texas DSHS runs Test for Texas, which offers free mail-order home testing for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia. Orders are placed at testfortexas.org.
Vivent Health Austin, at 104 E. Highland Mall Blvd, Suite 100, Austin, TX 78752, says it offers free and confidential HIV testing. Call (512) 458-2437 for walk-in hours or to make an appointment.
University Health Services at UT Austin offers drop-in testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV and syphilis for UT Austin students, at 512-471-4955.

The short version

Start within 72 hours of the exposure. Sooner is better.
Go to a hospital emergency department at any hour, or call a clinic during its hours.
Tell the clinician what happened, and get baseline testing.
Take the prescribed course, which the CDC describes as 28 days.
Keep every follow-up testing appointment.
Ask about ongoing prevention such as PrEP.

PEP in Austin: Emergency HIV Prevention Within 72 Hours