This page is general health information, not medical advice. It cannot tell you whether you have an infection. A clinician can, and the testing options on this site are a good place to start.

If something happened in the last few days that worries you, time matters. PEP, short for post-exposure prophylaxis, is emergency HIV medication a clinician can prescribe after a possible exposure. The CDC says it must be started as soon as possible and no later than 72 hours after the exposure.

This guide walks you through what to do, in order. It also covers what to bring, where to go in Dallas, and what happens afterward. You can do this today, and you do not need to have everything figured out first.

What PEP is and why the 72-hour window matters

PEP is a course of HIV medicine taken after a possible exposure to HIV. A clinician decides whether it is right for your situation and writes the prescription. Only a clinician can do that.

The CDC says PEP should begin within 72 hours of a possible exposure, and earlier is better. The CDC also says the course lasts 28 days. The clinician will explain the specific medicines and how to take them.

PEP is for emergencies. It is not meant to replace everyday prevention. If you may need ongoing protection, ask the clinician about PrEP, which is a separate prevention option.

Who might talk with a clinician about PEP

The CDC describes PEP as an option after a possible exposure through sex, sharing needles or syringes, or sexual assault. It applies to people of every gender and orientation. Whether PEP makes sense depends on the type of exposure and how long ago it happened, and the clinician makes that call with you.

Materials you need

You do not need much. Gather what you can, but do not delay care to find everything.

A phone to call a clinic or hospital, and to keep the number handy.
The time of the exposure, as best you remember. Count 72 hours forward from that point.
A short list of medicines you take, including anything you buy without a prescription. This helps the clinician choose safely.
Insurance or Medicaid information, if you have it. Not having it should not stop you from asking for care.
Photo ID, if you have one.
A way to get to the visit and a plan for picking up the prescription.

Step-by-step: getting PEP in Dallas

Step 1: Note the time and act now

Write down when the possible exposure happened. The CDC window is 72 hours, so start the clock in your mind and move on to Step 2 right away.

Do not wait for a clinic to open on Monday if it is Friday night. There are options at every hour.

Step 2: Choose where to go based on the time of day

Any hospital emergency department in Dallas is open around the clock. If it is evening, overnight or a weekend, an emergency department is the dependable choice. Tell the triage staff you are there about a possible HIV exposure and that you are asking about PEP. The sources used for this article do not name a specific Dallas hospital for PEP, so call the emergency department you plan to visit and ask whether they can start it.

During clinic hours, you can also call one of the Dallas clinics listed below. Tell them at the start of the call that the exposure was recent and that you are within the 72-hour window.

Step 3: Call a Dallas clinic that lists PEP

Several Dallas clinics list PEP as a service. Check hours and walk-in rules by phone before you travel.

Sexual Health Clinic, Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS). 2377 N. Stemmons Freeway, 1st Floor, Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75207. Phone (214) 819-1819. The clinic's page lists nPEP (the county's term for PEP) and PrEP. Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Wednesday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The phone line opens at 7:45 a.m. On the second Thursday of each month it closes at 3:30 p.m. The clinic requires appointments and offers same-day or next-day appointments, according to its page. Because the window is short, say so on the call. The county page lists no fees, and the CDC GetTested listing says Medicaid is accepted and to contact the clinic about eligibility.
Resource Center Health (Nelson-Tebedo clinic). 2603 Inwood Rd., Dallas, TX 75235. Phone 214.528.2336. The Resource Center's PrEP Care Program, at 214.540.4469, says it offers PrEP and PEP prescriptions, and they say se habla español. The page asks you to request an appointment online and does not mention walk-ins. It does not list a PEP price, so ask when you call.
Prism Health North Texas, Oak Lawn Health Center. 2801 Lemmon Ave, Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75204. Phone 214-521-5191. Prism lists HIV and STI testing, PrEP and PEP. It says appointments should be scheduled in advance, with same-day and walk-in appointments for urgent issues depending on availability. Prism says it uses sliding fee rates based on household income and size and accepts Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP and most private insurance. It also says it does not deny care based on ability to pay.

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) PrEP directory lists 22 Dallas providers. It is a good place to look if you also want ongoing prevention later.

Step 4: Tell the clinician what happened, as plainly as you like

You do not need to explain your life. Clinicians who prescribe PEP ask routine questions about the type of exposure and its timing. They ask so they can choose the right care. There is no judgment in that, and it is a normal part of the visit.

The clinician will typically also ask about your health history and other medicines. They will discuss testing before you start. The CDC recommends an HIV test at the start of PEP, and a clinician can tell you which tests apply to you.

Step 5: Start the prescription and take it exactly as directed

If the clinician prescribes PEP, ask how soon to take the first dose and where to pick it up. Ask whether a starter supply is available, or whether you need to go to a pharmacy tonight.

The CDC says the full course is 28 days. Your clinician will explain the schedule. Follow it exactly. If you have questions about side effects or missed doses, call the clinic rather than guessing.

Step 6: Schedule your follow-up before you leave

Ask for your follow-up appointments before you walk out. The CDC says people taking PEP should have follow-up HIV testing, including around 4 to 6 weeks and again around 12 weeks after the exposure. Your clinician may add visits to check how you are doing on the medicine, and may recommend testing for other STIs as well.

Window periods are set by the CDC and vary by test type. The clinician will tell you when each test is meaningful. If you want a list of local places to be tested, see this guide to STD and HIV testing in Dallas.

Tips that help

Call first, then go. Clinics in Dallas may require appointments, so a short call can save hours.
Say the word "PEP" and the time of exposure in the first sentence. That helps staff route you to the right person.
Ask about cost before and after. If a clinic's page does not list a price, say so and ask. You can also ask about sliding scale options or help for people without insurance.
Set phone alarms for each day of the 28-day course.
Bring a friend if that helps. Some people feel calmer with company.
Keep your visit paperwork. It helps any clinician you see later.

Common mistakes to avoid

Waiting to see if you feel something. HIV often causes no symptoms early on, and the window for PEP is short. Reaching out sooner gives the clinician more options.
Going to a clinic that is closed. Check the hours above or go to an emergency department.
Stopping the course early because you feel fine or have side effects. Call the clinician first. Do not stop on your own.
Skipping follow-up testing. The follow-up visits are part of the PEP plan, not an extra.
Using someone else's medicine or old leftovers. Only a clinician can decide what is safe for you.
Assuming a pharmacy or a friend can start PEP. It needs a clinician's prescription.

Expected results

The CDC says PEP can lower the chance of HIV infection when it is started promptly and taken as prescribed for the full course. It does not work every time, and results vary from person to person. That is why follow-up HIV testing matters, and why other prevention methods still count.

Some people have side effects while on PEP, such as stomach upset or tiredness. A clinician can talk through what to expect with the specific medicines they prescribe. If anything worries you, call the clinic.

HIV is not curable, but it is treatable and manageable with care from a clinician. If a follow-up test ever does show HIV, the clinic can connect you to treatment, and people who receive treatment can live long, healthy lives.

If you are under 18

Texas Family Code Sec. 32.003 says a minor of any age may consent to diagnosis and treatment of a reportable infectious disease, which the Texas Department of State Health Services says includes HIV. Parent or guardian consent is not necessary under that section. The same statute says a physician may tell a parent or guardian about the treatment, so no provider can promise they will never do so. Ask the clinic about its privacy practices before the visit.

The Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine clinic at Children's Health (2350 N Stemmons Fwy, Ste F5200; (214) 456-9099) says a parent or guardian must give general consent for a minor to be treated there. Call if you want to know how that works in practice.

Why this matters in Dallas

The CDC's HIV Surveillance Data Release Tables for 2024 list 898 new HIV diagnoses in Dallas County, a rate of 41.0 per 100,000 people aged 13 and older. Prevention tools such as PEP and PrEP are part of how communities lower those numbers. Using PEP is a reasonable, responsible step and nothing to feel bad about.

After PEP: other ways to stay protected

Once the emergency has passed, you may want to talk with a clinician about ongoing prevention. PrEP is a daily pill or an injection every two months at the DCHHS Sexual Health Clinic, according to the county's page. The DSHS says PrEP is free for many insured people and that manufacturer and other programs help people who are uninsured or underinsured. DSHS also says PrEP navigators work across Texas.

Doxy-PEP is a different tool. The CDC's 2024 guidance covers it for bacterial STI prevention, not HIV. The DCHHS page does not list it, so ask any clinic whether it applies to you.

Free testing options exist too. The DSHS program Test for Texas mails a free at-home self-testing kit for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia to anyone in Texas aged 13 or older, with no insurance needed. You can order at testfortexas.org. To find other testing sites, use the CDC's locator at gettested.cdc.gov.

Quick checklist

Write down when the exposure happened.
Go to an emergency department if it is after hours, or call a clinic during hours.
Tell staff you are asking about PEP within the 72-hour window.
Share your history and medicines with the clinician.
If prescribed, start as directed and take the full 28-day course.
Book your follow-up HIV tests before you leave.

Asking for PEP is a sensible health decision, and the people at these clinics handle these questions every day.

PEP in Dallas: Emergency HIV Prevention Within 72 Hours