Getting HIV PEP in France: What You Need to Know

If you’re searching for information about getting HIV PEP in France, chances are you’re navigating one of the most stressful 72 hours of your life.

First, let me say this: you’re not alone—and you’re not without support.

As a physician who has worked on the frontlines of HIV prevention for over two decades—from emergency rooms in Mozambique to policy tables in Brussels—I’ve seen just how urgent these moments can be. That’s why I co-founded Altheum: a telehealth platform dedicated to fast, judgment-free, expert care for people navigating situations just like yours.

And if you’re in France and worried about HIV exposure, time is everything. Here's what you need to know—and how Altheum can walk with you every step of the way.

What Is PEP?

PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a 28-day course of antiretroviral medication that can prevent HIV infection after a recent exposure. It’s not a cure or a vaccine. It’s emergency prevention—and it only works if started in time.

Timing is critical:

• Most effective when started within 2–4 hours

• Must be started within 72 hours of exposure

• Every hour you wait reduces its effectiveness

In France, PEP is known as Traitement Post-Exposition (TPE). It’s available through the national healthcare system, often free of charge—but navigating that system, especially as a foreigner or tourist, can be overwhelming.

That’s where we come in.

How Altheum Helps

Let’s be clear: Altheum is not a replacement for emergency hospital care. PEP must be started in person so you can receive medication immediately. But we do offer what the public system often can’t:

✅ Immediate guidance to assess your risk
✅ A multilingual doctor within minutes, not hours
✅ Directions to the right hospital or clinic near you
✅ Support after your hospital visit—throughout the entire 28-day journey
✅ Judgment-free care, wherever you are in France

At a time when every hour counts, Altheum saves you time, stress, and confusion.

Do You Need PEP?

You may need PEP if any of the following happened in the last 72 hours:

Sexual exposures:

• Unprotected anal or vaginal sex with a partner of unknown or HIV-positive status

• Condom broke or slipped off during sex

• You were sexually assaulted

Blood exposures:

• Shared needles or drug injection equipment

• Occupational exposure (e.g. needle-stick injury)

• Blood-to-blood contact

What doesn’t require PEP: a kiss, touching, a scratch, or casual contact. But if you're unsure—book a quick telehealth consult with us. We'll help you make an informed decision immediately.

Where to Get PEP in France

If you need PEP, don’t wait. Here’s where to go:

🚨 Emergency Departments (Service d’Urgences) – Open 24/7

Hospitals across France provide 24/7 access to PEP. Walk in and explain that you’ve had a potential HIV exposure.

You’ll usually get:

• A risk assessment

• Baseline HIV and STI testing

• A starter pack of medication (3–5 days)

• A referral to an HIV specialist for ongoing care

🏥 CeGIDD Clinics (Centres gratuits d'information, de dépistage et de diagnostic)

Free, confidential clinics that specialize in HIV prevention. Open during weekdays. You can search for one near you or ask Altheum to find the closest open center.

🧑‍⚕️ Infectious Disease Departments

Follow-up care, specialist consultations, and ongoing prescriptions are handled here. These are often within public hospitals.

What Happens After You Start PEP?

Starting PEP is step one. To protect your health, you must:

✅ Take the medication every day for 28 days
✅ Attend all follow-up testing appointments (at 4–6 weeks, 3 months)
✅ Watch for side effects and communicate with a clinician if needed
✅ Practice safe sex and avoid risky exposures during treatment

And this is where Altheum shines.
Once you’ve started treatment, we can support you virtually from anywhere in France.
You’ll have easy access to one of our licensed doctors—in your language—to:

• Monitor side effects

• Help with adherence

• Explain lab results

• Discuss PrEP for the future

We’re not just offering prescriptions. We’re offering a human connection when you need it most.

What If You’re Uninsured?

Good news: France’s healthcare system will not turn you away. Emergency departments are legally required to provide urgent care regardless of insurance or immigration status. PEP medications are 100% reimbursed by French Social Security (Assurance Maladie), and even foreigners without insurance may receive it free of charge.

If you’re unsure what to say or where to go—message us at Altheum. We’ll walk you through it.

Special Cases: Minors and Pregnancy

• Minors in France can access PEP without parental consent.

• Pregnant? You can—and should—still take PEP. Pregnancy may even raise your risk of HIV transmission.

Common Side Effects—and What to Do

PEP can cause:

• Nausea

• Fatigue

• Diarrhea

• Headaches

• Sleep disturbance

These symptoms are usually mild and temporary. But if they bother you or worsen, Altheum’s clinicians can help manage them right away—without a trip back to the ER.

From PEP to PrEP: Planning Ahead

If this isn’t your first time needing PEP, or if your lifestyle involves ongoing HIV risk, talk to us about transitioning to PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis). It’s a daily pill (or bimonthly injection) that prevents HIV before exposure.

Our doctors at Altheum can help you make a plan, even while you’re traveling.

Final Words from Dr. Juliana

I’ve spent my life making HIV care more accessible, more compassionate, and more human. At Altheum, we don’t just care about protocols—we care about people. People who find themselves scared, confused, and unsure where to turn.

If that’s you, here’s what I want you to know:

You are not alone.
You deserve fast, expert, stigma-free care.
And we’re here to help—right now.

💬 Start a consultation with an Altheum doctor today.
Let’s get you the care you need—before time runs out.