<unk>  <unk>  is any prophylactic treatment started immediately after<unk>  to a disease (such as a disease-causing virus), in order to prevent the disease from breaking out.<unk>  is commonly used, and very effective, to prevent the outbreak of rabies after a bite by a rabid animal. The treatment consists of repeated injections of rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin.
In the case of HIV infection,<unk>  is a course of antiretroviral drugs which is thought to reduce the risk of seroconversion after events with high risk of<unk>  to HIV (e.g. unprotected anal or vaginal sex, needlestick injuries, or sharing needles). To be effective, it must be started as soon as possible after<unk>  and ideally within an hour . The treatment for HIV lasts four weeks .
While there is compelling data to suggest that<unk>  after HIV<unk>  is extremely effective, there have been cases where it has failed. The regimen can be very demanding and have unpleasant side effects including malaise, fatigue, diarrhoea, headaches, nausea and vomiting .
According to one Australian study, two thirds of people taking<unk>  experienced mild to moderate side effects and one quarter of people taking<unk>  experienced severe side effects.
Post-exposure prophylaxis
Prophylaxis
COVID-19 interventions
Smallpox eradication
Ebola monitoring and movement of persons following exposure
Subunit HIV vaccine
Vaccination
CMV regimen