Hollis
What PEP is
PEP stands for post-exposure prophylaxis. It is a combination of HIV medicines taken once or twice a day for 28 days, started after a possible exposure to HIV. Taken early and without missed doses, it greatly reduces the chance that HIV takes hold in the body.
PEP is an emergency treatment, not a routine one. It is meant for a single recent exposure. If you are regularly at risk, PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is the better long-term option, and your physician can move you straight onto it at the end of your PEP course, once an HIV test confirms you are negative.
When PEP may be recommended
- A condom broke or slipped during sex with a partner whose HIV status you do not know
- Unprotected vaginal or anal sex with a partner who has HIV and may not be on effective treatment
- Sexual assault
- A needle-stick injury, or blood splashed into the eyes, mouth or onto broken skin, at work in clinics, salons or tattoo studios
- Sharing injecting equipment
Not every exposure needs PEP. The physician on duty asks a few private questions about what happened, when, and what is known about the other person, and tells you honestly whether PEP is right for you.
Why timing matters
PEP should be started as soon as possible, ideally within hours of the exposure, and no later than 72 hours. After 72 hours it is not recommended, because the chance that it works falls sharply. That is why we run a physician on duty 24/7 rather than a booking system.
How it works with Hollis
- Call or WhatsApp. A physician calls back within 15 minutes and assesses the exposure by phone or video.
- A physician comes to you, usually within 2 hours, anywhere in Dubai, and gives the first dose on the spot.
- Baseline tests are taken at the visit, and your 28-day course is managed by the same physician, with check-ins and every follow-up test until you have your result.
What PEP costs in Dubai
Hollis has two PEP packages. PEP Emergency is AED 19,500 and PEP Complete, which adds an early HIV RNA test at day 14, a full STI screen and home collection of every follow-up test, is AED 24,500. PEP medication is billed separately at the official UAE regulated price, typically about AED 4,800 to 5,400 for a 28-day course. The first call is free and you confirm the fee before the physician leaves.
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. Every situation is different, so speak to a physician about yours. If you are in immediate danger, call 999.
