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 you think you may have been exposed to HIV in the last few days, time matters, and there is a medical option. It is called PEP, short for post-exposure prophylaxis. It is an emergency HIV medication that a clinician prescribes after a possible exposure.

This guide walks you through what to do in Las Vegas, step by step. Take a breath first. Many people start PEP and finish it without any trouble, and you can begin the process right now.

The short version: the CDC says PEP should be started as soon as possible and within 72 hours of a possible exposure. Call a clinic or go to an emergency department today.

What PEP is, in plain words

PEP is a short course of HIV medicines. A clinician prescribes it after a possible exposure to HIV. The goal is to lower the chance that HIV takes hold in the body.

PEP is for emergencies. It is not meant to be a routine way to prevent HIV. For ongoing prevention, clinicians offer a different approach called PrEP. We cover how the two fit together near the end.

The CDC describes PEP as most effective when it is started quickly. It also says PEP does not work every time, which is why follow-up testing is part of the process.

HIV is not curable, but it is treatable, and people with HIV who get care can live long, healthy lives. PEP is one of several tools that lower the chance of getting HIV in the first place.

The 72-hour window

The CDC says PEP should begin within 72 hours of a possible exposure. Sooner is better. If you are close to the 72-hour mark, still go. A clinician can talk through your situation and decide what makes sense.

Count the hours from the moment of the possible exposure, not from when you started worrying about it. If you are not sure how many hours have passed, that is fine. Say so, and the clinician will work with the timeline you have.

PEP is generally discussed after situations such as sex without a condom, a condom that broke, sharing needles or other injection equipment, or sexual assault. A clinician can talk through whether PEP fits what happened to you. Everyone is welcome to ask, whatever their gender, orientation or circumstances.

Why this matters in Las Vegas

HIV is a real part of public health in Clark County. The Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health reported 552 new HIV diagnoses in Clark County in 2024, a rate of 22.6 per 100,000 people (Nevada 2024 HIV Fast Facts). The Nevada rate that year was 18.2 per 100,000.

Asking about PEP is a normal, responsible step. Clinics in Las Vegas handle these questions every week.

What you will need

You can start PEP without any of these in hand. Do not wait to gather everything before you call. If you can, bring or be ready to share:

A rough timeline. When the possible exposure happened, as best you remember.
A short description of what happened. You decide how much detail to share. The clinician asks so they can choose the right care.
A list of your current medicines and supplements. This helps the clinician check for interactions.
Any health conditions or allergies, including pregnancy or kidney or liver problems.
Photo ID and proof of income. The Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) says its clinic fees are based on income and household size, and it asks you to bring both.
Your insurance card, if you have one. The Center's health center says certain insurance is billed.
Your pharmacy details, in case the clinician sends the prescription there.

Step-by-step: how to get PEP in Las Vegas

Step 1: Start the clock and make a plan today

Note the date and time of the possible exposure. Then decide which route fits your timing.

If clinics are open, call one now. If it is evening, overnight or a weekend and the clinics are closed, go to a hospital emergency department. Do not wait until morning if you are inside the 72-hour window and the clinics are closed.

Step 2: Call a clinic during open hours

These Las Vegas options list PEP among their services. Hours can change, so confirm before you go.

Southern Nevada Health District Sexual Health Clinic, Decatur: 280 S. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89107. SNHD says to call (702) 759-1700 to schedule HIV PrEP and HIV PEP services. Its clinic page lists Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Tuesday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Southern Nevada Health District Sexual Health Clinic, Fremont Public Health Center: 2830 E. Fremont St., Las Vegas, NV 89104, phone (702) 759-1700. The clinic page lists Tuesday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Wednesday through Friday 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. SNHD asks you to arrive by 5:30 PM to allow time for processing.
Arlene Cooper Community Health Center at The Center: 401 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89101. Call 702-802-5432 for appointments. The health center page lists Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturday 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, and says appointments are highly encouraged.
Nevada Health Centers: Its Martin Luther King Family Health Center (1799 Mount Mariah Dr., 702.383.1961) and Nellis Family Medical Center (691 N. Nellis Blvd., 702.563.4662) are Las Vegas sites. Nevada Health Centers lists PEP among its HIV care and prevention services, but that page is organization-wide and does not say which sites provide it. Ask when you call.

SNHD's own pages list different hours in different places, so call before you travel. Say "I think I may need PEP" when you reach someone so they can route you quickly.

One note on the SNHD Express Testing service: it is free walk-in testing for people without symptoms. It is a separate service from a PEP visit, so tell staff you are asking about PEP.

Step 3: Use an emergency department when clinics are closed

Hospital emergency departments can evaluate a possible HIV exposure at any hour. The CDC lists emergency departments among the places that can provide PEP.

The health district does not publish a list of which Las Vegas hospitals stock PEP, so we cannot name one. Call the emergency department ahead if you can, and ask whether they start PEP. If they do not, ask where to go. If this follows a sexual assault, tell the staff. They can connect you with additional support.

In an emergency, call 911.

Step 4: Talk openly with the clinician

The clinician will ask about the exposure, your health and your medicines. These questions are routine. Your answers help them decide whether PEP is appropriate for you.

The clinician will also usually offer an HIV test at the visit. The CDC recommends testing when PEP starts, so that a clinician has a starting point to compare later results against. A clinician may also offer testing for other STIs, since a possible exposure to one infection can mean a possible exposure to others.

Only a clinician and a test can tell you about your health status. This visit is where you find out what they recommend.

Step 5: Ask about cost before you leave

Here is what the local sources say.

SNHD says charges are based on your income and the number of people in your household. It also says you will not be turned away due to inability to pay on the day of your visit.
The Center says HIV testing is free and STI screening is low cost. Its page does not list a PEP price.
Nevada Health Centers says it offers a sliding-fee discount program based on family size and income. Its page does not list a PEP price.

None of these pages lists what the PEP medicine itself costs. Ask the clinic directly, and ask whether they can help if a pharmacy price is a problem. Do not skip PEP because of a price worry before you have asked.

Step 6: Take the medicine as the clinician prescribes

The CDC describes a PEP course as lasting 28 days. The clinician decides which medicines you take and when. Follow their directions exactly, and never change the plan on your own.

Medicine works best when you take it consistently. Set a phone alarm or tie each dose to a daily habit. If you miss a dose or run low, call the clinic right away rather than guessing.

Some people have side effects such as nausea, tiredness or headache. Tell the clinician about anything that bothers you. They can often help with side effects, and you should not stop on your own.

Step 7: Keep your follow-up appointments

Follow-up is part of PEP, not an extra. The CDC describes repeat HIV testing after exposure, with checks at roughly 4 to 6 weeks and again at around 12 weeks. Your clinician sets the exact schedule that fits you.

You may also have lab work during the course to check how your body is handling the medicines. Put the appointments in your calendar before you leave the clinic.

If you also want to look at other testing, our guide to free and low-cost STD testing across Las Vegas lists clinics, services and costs. The CDC's GetTested locator can also find testing sites by ZIP code.

Step 8: Plan for what comes next

Ask the clinician about ongoing prevention. If you may face another exposure in the future, PrEP is a daily or long-acting prevention option that a clinician prescribes.

SNHD says to call (702) 759-1700 to schedule PrEP services. The Center offers PrEP navigation, including online options with low and no-cost paths. Nevada Health Centers has a PrEP navigator at 702-563-4618.

Nevada law also lets qualifying pharmacists order PrEP labs and prescribe PrEP under a Board of Pharmacy protocol (NRS 639.28085).

Tips that help

Call first, but do not wait on hold forever. If you cannot reach a clinic quickly, go to an emergency department.
Ask about the whole picture. You can ask the same visit about other STI testing, vaccines and prevention.
Bring a support person if that helps. A friend can wait with you or make calls.
Use protection with partners while you are in the follow-up period, unless your clinician advises otherwise. This is a common recommendation while testing is not yet finished.
Write down your questions. It is easy to forget them in the room.

Common mistakes to avoid

Waiting to see if you feel okay. HIV often causes no symptoms early on, and the PEP window is short. Feeling fine does not change the timeline.
Stopping the medicine early because you feel well or have side effects. Talk to the clinician first.
Skipping follow-up testing. The later tests are how a clinician confirms how things went.
Assuming you are too late. If you are near 72 hours, call anyway. If you are past it, still call. A clinician can discuss other options and testing.
Mixing up PEP with doxy-PEP. They are different. Doxy-PEP is a separate strategy the CDC addressed in 2024 guidance for preventing certain bacterial STIs in specific groups. It does not prevent HIV. SNHD's community health center lists it among its services, so ask a clinician if it applies to you.
Believing you cannot go because of your age. Nevada law (NRS 129.060) says a minor may give consent to examination and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases and to STD prevention services, and it sets no minimum age. Ask the clinic how it applies to you.

What to expect afterward

Here is what the CDC and clinicians generally describe, in hedged terms.

PEP can lower the chance of HIV taking hold when it is started quickly and taken as prescribed.
It may not work in every case, so follow-up testing matters.
You may feel some side effects during the 28 days. Many people finish the course.
Your clinician will review your test results with you and tell you what they mean for your care.

Waiting for results can be stressful. Clinics see this every day. Ask for a counselor or support resource if the wait is hard.

Privacy and reporting

Nevada requires health care providers to report certain infections, including HIV, to the local health authority (Nevada Administrative Code 441A.040 and 441A.230). That rule applies to cases or suspected cases. It exists for public health tracking. If you have questions about how your information is handled, ask the clinic before your visit.

Where to go next

If you are inside the 72-hour window, make the call now. The SNHD Sexual Health Clinic number is (702) 759-1700. If clinics are closed, use a hospital emergency department.

Later on, you can find more testing and prevention services in the guide linked in Step 7, or through gettested.cdc.gov.

PEP in Las Vegas: Emergency HIV Prevention Within 72 Hours