Rapid HIV PEP Access in Italy for Tourists
Ciao! I’m Dr. Juliana Soares Linn, physician, global health expert, and someone who has spent the last two decades walking alongside communities affected by HIV across the globe. From the hospitals of Mozambique to the health ministries of Latin America, from community clinics in Southeast Asia to policy tables in Europe, I’ve seen what timely HIV care can do. It saves lives. And that’s what brings me here—to make sure you get the HIV prevention you need, right when you need it.
I am proud co‑founder of Altheum. Based in New York, I work across borders to ensure equitable, timely access to HIV prevention and care. You can learn more about my background and global work on LinkedIn. But Altheum, our telehealth platform, lets me support you no matter where you are—whether you’re in Milan, Florence, or relaxing on a Tuscan vineyard. IIf you’ve experienced a possible HIV exposure and need fast, respectful access to Post‑Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), please know: you’re not alone. Altheum is built to deliver stigma‑free care, right when it matters most.
Why I Co‑Founded Altheum
From the very beginning, Altheum has been driven by three simple truths I’ve witnessed throughout my career:
Speed saves lives — PEP must begin within hours of exposure. Delays, even from confusion about where to go, can reduce its effectiveness.
Dignified care matters — People deserve confidentiality, respect, and support, especially in moments of vulnerability.
Everyone deserves equal access — Whether you’re a traveler, a local resident, or facing language or mobility barriers, you should be able to get care without unnecessary hurdles.
That’s why I co‑founded Altheum: to create a telehealth solution designed around your needs—speed, compassion, and equity—especially in urgent situations like PEP access.
Why Trust Me—and Why Trust Altheum?
This isn’t just my job. It’s my calling. I’ve spent my career designing HIV treatment programs, training health workers, and fighting for equitable access to life-saving services. My doctoral work focused on the specific challenges people with disabilities face when seeking HIV prevention—barriers that should never exist, but still do. I’ve advocated for communities often left behind. And now, with Altheum, I’ve helped create a digital health platform that removes those very barriers.
With Altheum, you don’t have to navigate unfamiliar hospitals, risk long waits, or feel judged. We offer immediate, discreet support—on your phone, from your own space.
First, Let’s Talk About What PEP Is—and Why It’s Urgent
PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a 28-day course of antiretroviral medications that can prevent HIV infection after a recent exposure. But it only works if started quickly. Ideally within 2–4 hours. Certainly no later than 72 hours after the exposure.
If you’re reading this and thinking, “I might need PEP,” don’t wait to be sure. Reach out now. We can assess your risk and help you act.
Step 1: Time is Critical—Act Now
Whether your exposure happened via unprotected sex, a broken condom, sharing needles, or a healthcare accident (like a needlestick), every hour counts. If you’ve had a potential exposure in the last three days, you're in the window where PEP could stop the virus from taking hold. But that window closes fast.
We’ve built Altheum to respond immediately, with no unnecessary hurdles or delays. This is healthcare without judgment, right when it matters most.
Step 2: Book a Same-Day Teleconsultation
Once you contact Altheum, you’ll be connected with me or another experienced HIV clinician for a same-day video consultation. We’ll talk through your exposure—where it happened, how, and when. We’ll ask you a few important questions, not to judge, but to get you the right care.
We’ll also arrange a rapid HIV test as soon as possible. Most pharmacies in Italy carry them, or we can direct you to a nearby location. If your HIV test is negative, you’re eligible for PEP, and we’ll move fast to get you started.
Step 3: Get the Prescription—No Delays, No Barriers
Once your HIV test returns negative, the next and most important step is to access a hospital or infectious disease clinic (often referred to as an “AIDS center”), not a pharmacy. In Italy, PEP is only available through healthcare facilities such as emergency rooms or specialist centers—with no ability to pick it up privately at pharmacies or have it delivered through partners.
Here's the correct process in Italy:
Altheum teleconsultation to guide you through the process and where to go.
You are then directed, the same day, to a nearby hospital emergency department or to a regional AIDS/infectious disease clinic, which are the only authorized sites to prescribe and dispense PEP.
At the hospital pharmacy, they dispense the complete 28-day antiretroviral regimen, aligning with WHO/ECDC guidance—free of charge under the SSN.
While you cannot bypass hospitals to pick up medication at public pharmacies or via delivery, Altheum adds value by streamlining access:
We connect you directly to the right clinics equipped to handle PEP.
We offer telehealth coordination, patient advocacy (e.g., Italian-language forms, referrals), and emotional support to reduce delays and stigma in hospital systems.
Step 4: Taking PEP Isn’t Just About Starting—It’s About Finishing Strong
Starting PEP is only the first step. To ensure it’s effective, it’s essential to take the medication every day for 28 days and complete follow-up HIV testing at 4–6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after exposure.
If you’d like continued support during this time, Altheum physicians are available for follow-up consultations. They’re here for you if you need help managing side effects, staying adherent, or simply want to check in and ask questions along the way.
PEP is a powerful tool—but it works best when care continues beyond the first prescription. And when you need that care, we’re just a tap away.
Step 5: PEP Access in Italy—What You Need to Know
In Italy, the National Health Service (SSN) offers PEP for free through hospital emergency departments and infectious disease clinics. That’s fantastic news for residents and visitors alike. But as many of my patients have learned, navigating the system can be tricky, especially in a moment of stress.
There may be language barriers, long wait times, or concerns about confidentiality. Many people, especially LGBTQ+ travelers, worry about being treated with respect. That’s where Altheum comes in. We bridge the public and private systems, offering immediate tele-referrals, prescriptions and walking you through every step.
We can also provide documentation in Italian for pharmacy staff or clinicians. You stay in control—and in care.
Why This Work Matters to Me
When I worked in Mozambique, I remember meeting a young man who had been exposed to HIV during a violent assault. He had to walk for hours to find a clinic with PEP, and by the time he arrived, it was too late. That moment stayed with me. It taught me how unforgiving time can be—and how much systems matter.
Years later, while researching HIV access for people with disabilities, I saw how even small obstacles—like stairs, forms not available in Braille, or cold, dismissive providers—can keep someone from getting the care they deserve.
That’s why I helped build Altheum: to make sure that no matter who you are, where you are, or how scared you feel, there’s a clear path forward. One that treats you with dignity, speed, and compassion.
Altheum Is Here for You
If you think you’ve been exposed to HIV, please don’t wait. Reach out to us right away.
At Altheum, you’re never just a case. You’re a person—with fears, questions, and a right to immediate care. Whether you’re a tourist in Rome, a student in Bologna, or just someone who had a scary moment and needs answers, we’ve got your back.
This is personal for me—and for every clinician on our team.
So let’s take the next step together. Reach out to Altheum now, and let’s get you protected.