Lowering the rate of HIV transmission in Michigan is a priority for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Division of HIV and STD Programs. MDHHS has updated its guidelines to reflect recommendations from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the expanded use of antiretroviral non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) medication.

New guideline documents available

To correspond with the new CDC guidelines, DHHS created two new guidance documents, an excerpt document as well as a more comprehensive clinical guidance document, to assist in the implementation of this strategy.

MDHHS has asked health care providers and health systems to familiarize themselves with the guidelines and to share this information with colleagues and other medical professionals to improve overall knowledge of and access to nPEP.

• Excerpts from the MDHHS nPEP Guidance
• MDHHS Non-Occupational Post Exposure Prophylaxis (nPEP) Guidance

Non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP)

nPEP is a preventive treatment that can reduce the chance that a person who is exposed to HIV will become HIV-positive.

The nPEP treatment involves two or three antiretroviral medicines that work together to prevent HIV from making copies of itself and spreading through the body. To be effective, the medicines must be started as soon as possible – no more than 72 hours (3 days) – after possible exposure to the virus. They also must be taken on schedule for 28 days.

nPEP medicines can reduce the risk of becoming HIV-positive but are not always effective. Taking them does not guarantee that someone exposed to HIV will not become infected with HIV.

Questions?

For additional information and support from MDHHS, email Dawn Lukomski, HIV Care and Prevention Section Manager, Division of HIV/STD Programs.