Exposure to blood-borne pathogens can present serious risks to health care providers. Prompt post-exposure treatment for HIV and hepatitis B virus can be effective, but because each exposure case is unique, determining who should receive prophylaxis and which drugs are most appropriate is not always easy.

The National Clinicians' Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Hotline (PEPline) offers treating clinicians up-to-the-minute advice on managing occupational exposures (i. e., needlesticks, splashes, etc.) to HIV, hepatitis and other blood-borne pathogens.

PEPline clinicians will respond to your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Emergency calls made during evening, weekend, and holiday hours are forwarded to on-call clinicians. Non-emergency calls will be returned during business hours.

Clinicians will help assess the risk of the exposure, discuss the most recent post-exposure prophylaxis protocols, and review specific treatment and follow-up options. Written materials supporting the telephone discussion are sent by mail or fax whenever needed.