Getting HIV PEP in Portugal
Olá! I’m Dr. Juliana Soares Linn—physician, global health expert, and someone who has spent the last two decades working alongside communities affected by HIV around the world. From hospitals in Mozambique to national programs in Latin America, from LGBTQ+ outreach in Brazil to policy tables in Europe, I’ve seen how one thing can make all the difference: timing.
When someone is exposed to HIV, the window for action is short—but the opportunity to prevent infection is powerful. That’s what brought me to co‑found Altheum—a telehealth platform that connects people across Europe, including Portugal, to life-saving HIV prevention care like Post‑Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP).
Whether you’re in Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve, or just traveling through—if you’ve experienced a possible HIV exposure, this guide is for you. Please know: you’re not alone, and you have options.
Why I Helped Build Altheum
Altheum was born from three truths I’ve seen time and time again:
Speed saves lives. PEP is only effective if started within 72 hours—ideally within the first few hours.
People deserve dignity. When you’re vulnerable, you deserve care that is private, kind, and judgment-free.
Access must be equitable. Whether you're a tourist, a resident, or don’t speak Portuguese fluently, you still deserve fast and respectful care.
That’s why we built Altheum. Our mission is simple: fast, stigma-free access to HIV prevention services, including PEP, across Europe—with the convenience and compassion that only a human-centered platform can provide.
Step 1: What Is PEP and Why Time Is Critical
PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a 28-day course of antiretroviral medication that can prevent HIV after a recent exposure. It only works if started quickly—ideally within 2–4 hours, and definitely within 72 hours.
If you’re asking yourself, “Do I need PEP?”—don’t wait to be sure. Take the next step now. Whether your exposure happened through unprotected sex, a broken condom, needle-sharing, or a healthcare accident, time is everything.
Step 2: Connect With Altheum Immediately
When every hour matters, you don’t have time to search for local clinics or wait in a crowded ER. Altheum connects you with an experienced HIV clinician for a same-day video consultation—often within the hour.
During our call, we’ll:
Talk through your exposure (how, when, where)
Answer your questions without judgment
Assess your eligibility for PEP
Guide you on how to access medication in Portugal—quickly and safely
We’ll also recommend or arrange a rapid HIV test to confirm you’re HIV-negative before starting PEP.
Step 3: How to Get PEP in Portugal
In Portugal, PEP is available free of charge through the public healthcare system (SNS). However, the process can be confusing, especially for visitors or those unfamiliar with the system.
Here’s what typically happens:
You visit a hospital emergency room (Urgência).
A physician evaluates your case and determines PEP eligibility.
If eligible, the doctor prescribes the full 28-day regimen of antiretrovirals.
The medication is dispensed by the hospital pharmacy—usually on the same day.
But here’s the catch: many people face delays. From long wait times to language barriers to uncertainty about whether they “qualify,” many don’t get PEP in time.
That’s where Altheum comes in.
We streamline the process:
Help you decide if you need to go to the ER—or if another route is possible
Send you to the right hospital, not just the nearest one
Provide written documentation in Portuguese for the triage team
Offer emotional support and check-ins throughout the process
Reduce the stigma and uncertainty that can keep people from seeking help
Step 4: Staying on Track With the 28-Day Course
Taking PEP is about more than just getting the first pills. You need to take the full course—once a day for 28 days, without missing doses.
Follow-up is also important. Current guidelines recommend HIV testing at 4–6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after exposure.
Altheum can support you during this time:
Our physicians are available for follow-up teleconsultations
We help manage side effects and provide adherence tips
We remind you of testing dates and help interpret your results
We’re not just here to prescribe—we’re here to stay with you, all the way.
Step 5: What You Need to Know About Portugal’s System
The Portuguese system is robust—but navigating it isn’t always easy, especially if you:
Don’t speak Portuguese fluently
Are visiting from abroad
Have limited experience with the public healthcare system
Are part of the LGBTQ+ community and concerned about stigma
Altheum fills those gaps:
Same-day virtual support
Guidance in English, Portuguese, Spanish, or French
Referrals to LGBTQ+-friendly providers
Documentation to bring to hospitals and pharmacies
On-call care from a team that gets it
We’ve helped people across Europe get PEP fast—without shame or delay.
A Personal Note—Why This Matters
Years ago, while running HIV programs in rural Africa, I treated a young man who was assaulted and potentially exposed to HIV. The closest clinic with PEP was hours away, and he didn’t make it in time. I’ll never forget his face—or the urgency of that moment.
Later, during my doctoral work on HIV access for people with disabilities, I saw how systemic barriers—like lack of ramps, poor signage, or insensitive providers—can turn a medical emergency into a personal crisis.
That’s why I created Altheum: to remove those barriers, one patient at a time.
We’re Just a Tap Away
If you’ve had a potential HIV exposure in Portugal, don’t wait. Reach out to Altheum now and get the care you need—quickly, privately, and respectfully.
Whether you’re a tourist in Lisbon, a university student in Coimbra, or a digital nomad in Madeira—you deserve immediate, compassionate care. That’s what we’re here for.
We’ll walk this journey with you.
👉 Book a Same-Day Consultation with Altheum