PEP (HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) in Fort Myers, FL — Seen the Same Day
Medically reviewed by Sivakumar Raman, MD — Board-Certified, Infectious Disease · Reviewed July 2026
PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is a short course of anti-HIV medication that can prevent HIV infection after a possible exposure — but only if it is started quickly. PEP must begin within 72 hours of exposure, and every hour counts: the sooner it starts, the better it works. At Florida Infectious Disease Care in Fort Myers, our board-certified infectious disease physicians start PEP the same day you contact us — because for PEP, waiting for an appointment next week is not an option.
When is PEP needed?
PEP may be appropriate after a possible HIV exposure such as:
- Condomless sex, or a broken condom, with a partner who has HIV or whose status is unknown
- Sexual assault
- Sharing needles or injection equipment
- A needlestick or occupational exposure (healthcare and first-responder settings)
If you are unsure whether an exposure qualifies, call or text us — that assessment is exactly what we do, and it is better to ask within the 72-hour window than to wait.
How PEP works
PEP is a 28-day course of antiretroviral medication — the same class of medicines used to treat HIV — taken daily to stop the virus from establishing infection after an exposure. At our practice we typically prescribe a convenient single-tablet regimen, bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (Biktarvy), taken once daily. Your visit includes a rapid baseline HIV test, a brief evaluation of the exposure, and, when appropriate, a prescription you can begin the same day. We schedule follow-up testing and check-ins during and after the 28 days, and if you have ongoing risk, we can transition you smoothly from PEP to PrEP so you are protected going forward.
Why the 72-hour window matters
PEP is not effective once HIV has established itself in the body. That is why it is an urgent, time-limited intervention: start within 72 hours, ideally within hours, of the exposure. If it is after our office hours, do not wait for us to open — go to the nearest emergency department to begin PEP, then contact us first thing so we can take over your care and follow-up.
Get PEP today — Fort Myers or telehealth across Florida
Call or text (239) 245-8223. We see PEP patients the same day, in person at our Fort Myers office or by telehealth anywhere in Florida, 7 days a week. We accept all insurance plans, and self-pay patients are welcome — and PEP is covered by most insurance, with assistance programs available if cost is a concern. Do not let uncertainty about cost delay you.
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FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
As soon as possible, and no later than 72 hours after exposure. Effectiveness drops the longer you wait, so treat it as an emergency — call or text (239) 245-8223 right away, or go to the nearest ER after hours.
PEP is a 28-day course taken daily. We typically use a single-tablet regimen (Biktarvy) for convenience and tolerability. Completing the full course is important for it to work, and we follow up with you during and after treatment.
No. PEP is taken after a possible exposure, as an emergency 28-day course. PrEP is taken before exposures, on an ongoing basis, to prevent HIV in people at higher risk. If you find yourself needing PEP more than once, PrEP is likely a better fit, and we can start you on it after your PEP course.
Most insurance plans cover PEP, and we accept all plans. For uninsured or self-pay patients, manufacturer and government assistance programs can make PEP affordable or free. Call or text us — cost should never be the reason someone skips PEP.
Yes, in many cases — we can evaluate you by video anywhere in Florida, arrange rapid testing near you, and send the prescription to your pharmacy the same day. Contact us and we'll determine the fastest safe option for your situation.
Call or text (239) 245-8223 immediately. If it is after hours, go to the nearest emergency department to begin PEP without delay, then contact us first thing so we can continue your care.
Florida Infectious Disease Care · 14192 Metropolis Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33912 · Call or text (239) 245-8223 · Same-day PEP · Open 7 days a week · Telehealth across Florida