At present, there is very accurate research evidence that taking blockers after high-risk behaviors can reduce the risk of HIV infection. Is it possible to block successfully as long as the blocker is taken? This is related to many factors, including the timing of blocking, which blocker to choose, whether the patient takes the whole course of medication, and whether the patient continues to have high-risk behaviors, etc., so whether the blocker can succeed requires individual analysis and individual treatment. For the success rate of blocking, it is difficult to do a prospective cohort study. According to the retrospective analysis of existing data, after taking blocking drugs, the probability of AIDS blocking failure is about 5 / 1000.
Are AIDS blockers the same as antiviral drugs?
AIDS blockers and antiviral drugs are actually a kind of drugs, and currently the triple drug program is commonly used. In fact, it is related to the process of HIV infection. In the case of sexual contact transmission, the virus first invades the mucous membrane, passes through the mucous membrane barrier, and then enters the tissues, cells and lymph nodes of the human body, and propagates in the lymph nodes, and finally enters the blood. There are several blocking opportunities in the whole process. It is important to kill the virus before it reaches the blood, so as to achieve the purpose of blocking.
● the faster you take blockers after high-risk behaviors, the higher the success rate?
Generally speaking, the earlier the blocker is taken, the earlier the blood concentration of the drug will rise, so as to ensure the effect before the virus enters the blood; of course, if the drug concentration can reach the effect before the virus reaches the lymph nodes, or even before it passes through the mucosal barrier, the success rate of blocking will be higher. At present, the effective time to block is 72 hours after high-risk behavior, the earlier the better, the best within 2 hours.
● if you take more than the best time, do you want to take blockers?
At present, it is believed that the possibility of blocking is relatively small after 72 hours. At this time, the virus is likely to have entered the blood and take blocking drugs again, which is basically the same as antiviral treatment.
In this case, is it necessary to take blockers? I don't think the problem can be generalized. It depends on how 'high-risk behavior' actually works and the specific situation. If it is a direct infusion of blood from HIV infected people, the risk of infection is as high as 92% - 96%, which is a 'very high risk' situation. Even if it has been more than 72 hours, it is recommended to continue to take blockers. Although the possibility of success of blocking at this time is very small, but the medication for early treatment and follow-up disease control, or very meaningful.
● where can I get AIDS blockers? Do I have to pay for them?
AIDS blockers can be obtained in the outpatient department of the hospital. Like our hospital, they can be obtained in the STD / AIDS outpatient department. If they are not on duty, they can be obtained in the emergency department, usually within 2 hours. As for the cost of drugs, if it is occupational exposure, the unit will bear certain responsibilities; if it is non occupational exposure (sexual exposure or other reasons of exposure), blockers need to be purchased at its own expense. Currently, the first choice is more expensive, with a course of treatment of about 56000, and another one is cheaper, with a course of treatment of about 34000.