What should you receive as soon as possible after being exposed to HIV-infected blood?

Receiving Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) as soon as possible after being exposed to HIV-infected blood is crucial for reducing the risk of HIV infection. PEP involves taking antiretroviral medications within hours of exposure, ideally within 72 hours, and continuing for a total of 28 days. The medications work to inhibit the virus's replication in the body, effectively lowering the chances of establishing a permanent infection.

Timely initiation of PEP is critical because the sooner it is started, the more effective it is likely to be. This treatment is specifically designed for situations involving potential exposures to HIV and is not a long-term prevention strategy but rather an emergency response.

While counseling services are important for psychological support and understanding the implications of the exposure, and vaccinations may be relevant for other bloodborne pathogens (like Hepatitis B), they do not directly address the immediate threat of HIV following exposure. Antibiotics are effective against bacterial infections but do not have any role in preventing or treating viral infections like HIV.