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. It is also something you can act on calmly, and many people in Miami do.

PEP stands for post-exposure prophylaxis. It is emergency HIV medication that a clinician prescribes after a possible exposure. The CDC says it must be started within 72 hours, and sooner is better.

This guide walks through what to gather, who to see, what to ask, and what follow-up looks like. It does not replace a clinician. Only a clinician can decide whether PEP is right for your situation.

What PEP is, in plain words

PEP is a short course of HIV medicine taken after a possible exposure to HIV. Its goal is to lower the chance that HIV takes hold in the body.

The CDC recommends that PEP be started as soon as possible, and no later than 72 hours after a possible exposure. The 72-hour mark is a hard edge in CDC guidance, so the clock is worth taking seriously.

PEP is for emergencies. It is not meant to be a regular method of prevention. People who expect to be exposed again can talk with a clinician about PrEP, which is a different, ongoing form of prevention.

PEP is HIV treatment medicine used for prevention, and it needs a prescription. A clinician chooses the medicines and explains how to take them. This page does not list doses or schedules, because that is the clinician's job.

Situations where clinicians commonly consider PEP

The CDC describes PEP for people who may have been exposed to HIV through sex, through shared needles or other injection equipment, or through an event such as sexual assault. Health care workers may also need it after a needlestick.

You do not have to sort out how risky your exposure was before you seek care. Describing what happened is the clinician's starting point, and it is not a judgment of you.

What you need before you go

You can start PEP without any of these items. If you can gather them quickly, the visit usually goes smoother. Do not delay care to find them.

The time of the exposure. A best guess is fine. It tells the clinician how much of the 72 hours is left.
A simple account of what happened. The clinician will ask what kind of exposure it was and whether a condom was used. They ask so they can decide what care fits.
A list of your current medicines and allergies. This includes supplements. Some medicines can interact with HIV medicines.
Any health conditions. Mention kidney or liver conditions, pregnancy or the chance of pregnancy, and anything else you are being treated for.
Insurance card or ID, if you have them. If you do not, say so at check-in and ask about options.
A phone you can answer. The clinic will likely schedule follow-up calls and visits.

Step by step: how to get PEP in Miami

Step 1: Note the time and act now

Write down when the possible exposure happened. Then count forward 72 hours. The CDC says PEP should start within that window, and each hour counts.

If you are close to the end of the window, go to a hospital emergency department. Do not wait for a clinic appointment slot.

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

PEP can start at a hospital emergency department or at a clinic that offers it. Which one fits depends on the hour.

Nights, weekends and holidays: A hospital emergency department is the realistic option when clinics are closed. Emergency departments are built to see people at any hour. When you arrive, say plainly that you are asking about HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and that your exposure was within the last 72 hours.
Weekday daytime hours: Community clinics may be an option. Call ahead and ask directly whether they can start PEP that day.

The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County does not publish a list of emergency departments on its sexual health pages. If you want a hospital recommendation, call the health department's disease control line at 305-470-5660 and ask.

Step 3: Use the state locator to find PEP providers

The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County links to a statewide tool for finding places that provide PrEP and PEP. The health department describes it this way: "Find locations near you that can provide pre and post-exposure prophylaxis." You can open the Florida Department of Health PrEP and nPEP provider locator from your phone.

Call the place you choose before you travel, if time allows. Ask whether they can prescribe PEP today and what hours they are seeing patients.

Step 4: Tell the clinician what happened and ask your questions

Use plain words. Clinicians who provide PEP hear these stories every day. Your care does not depend on who you are, who your partners are, or how you describe your life.

Good questions to ask:

Is PEP right for what I described?
What side effects should I watch for, and who do I call if I have them?
What will it cost, and is there help if I cannot pay?
When are my follow-up tests?
How do I protect my partners while I wait for results?

Step 5: Get baseline testing

Before or when you start PEP, a clinician will usually offer an HIV test. The CDC's PEP guidance also calls for baseline testing for other infections, depending on your situation. The baseline result gives the clinician a starting point for later tests.

The clinician may also discuss testing for bacterial STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. A clinician can tell you what any test shows. This page cannot.

Step 6: Start the medicine and complete the full course

The CDC recommends a PEP course of 28 days. Follow your clinician's instructions for how to take it. Ask them what to do if you miss a dose, rather than guessing.

Ask the pharmacy or clinic about getting the whole course in hand. A gap in supply is one of the most avoidable problems.

Step 7: Keep your follow-up appointments

CDC PEP guidance includes follow-up HIV testing after the exposure. Testing is generally done at about 4 to 6 weeks and again at about 12 weeks, though your clinician will set the exact dates for you.

Follow-up is how a clinician confirms what a test shows after PEP. The clinic may also check how you are tolerating the medicine and ask about side effects.

Step 8: Ask about what comes next

Once PEP is done, ask about longer-term prevention. If your exposure risk is likely to continue, a clinician can talk through PrEP.

The CDC also issued guidance in 2024 on doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis, often called doxy-PEP. It is a separate approach that aims to lower the chance of certain bacterial STIs, and it is not an HIV medicine. Only a clinician can say whether it applies to you.

Where to start in Miami

These are the places that the health department and the CDC's testing locator list. Check with each clinic about what it can provide on the day you call, and whether it can start PEP.

Place	Address and phone	What the sources say
Care Resource, Midtown Miami	3510 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33137. 305-576-1234	Care Resource lists PEP, PrEP, HIV testing and STI testing among its services. CDC GetTested lists free HIV and STI tests and says an appointment is not required. Testing hours are Monday to Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Care Resource also offers a sliding fee scale for uninsured and underinsured clients.
Health District Center (STI clinic), Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County	1350 NW 14th St., Suite 350, Miami, FL 33125. 305-575-3800	The health department says it offers "low or no-cost testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV." Hours are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., closing at noon on the 1st and 3rd Fridays. The page does not say whether PEP is prescribed here, so ask when you call.
West Perrine Health Center (STI clinic), Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County	18255 Homestead Ave., Miami, FL 33157. 305-575-3800	Same testing services as above. Hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., closing at noon on 3rd Fridays. Appointments are made through the same phone number.
Pridelines (Thrivelines Health), Miami Beach	1130 Washington Ave, First Floor, Miami Beach, FL 33139. 305-571-9601	This site is in Miami Beach, not the City of Miami. Pridelines describes HIV testing as free and confidential. Its page describes PrEP and PEP as navigation to outside prescribers, not prescribing on site.

Clinic hours can change. Call before you go, especially if you are watching the 72-hour clock.

None of the clinic pages we reviewed publish a price for PEP medicine itself. Ask the clinic what it costs and whether help is available. For the full local list with testing details, see the Miami testing guide with clinic details and costs.

Tips that make the process easier

Go first, sort out paperwork second. If the window is closing, the emergency department can begin care while you work out insurance.
Say the word "PEP" out loud. Saying "HIV post-exposure prophylaxis" at check-in helps staff route you quickly.
Ask about cost before you leave, not after. If the cost is a barrier, ask whether the clinic has financial help or a sliding fee scale.
Set phone reminders. One for your daily medicine and one for each follow-up test.
Keep your clinician's number handy. Side effects such as an upset stomach are a reason to call, not a reason to quietly stop.
Ask how to protect partners. A clinician can explain what to do between the exposure and the final follow-up test.

Common mistakes to avoid

Waiting to see if it feels serious. HIV exposure rarely causes any immediate sign, so how you feel is not a guide to the clock.
Waiting for a regular clinic to open. If the window may run out first, an emergency department is the right choice.
Stopping early. Feeling fine on day 10 does not mean the course is finished. The CDC recommends the full 28 days.
Skipping the follow-up tests. The tests are how a clinician confirms what happened after PEP.
Assuming it is too late without asking. If you are unsure about the timing, call a clinician and ask. They can tell you whether PEP is still an option.
Feeling embarrassed. PEP exists for exactly this moment, and clinicians see these requests often.

What to expect afterward

PEP is not a guarantee. The CDC says it works best when it is started quickly and taken as directed for the full course. Outcomes vary from person to person.

Some people have side effects, such as nausea, tiredness or headache. Many people can finish the course, and a clinician can often help manage side effects. Call your clinician before you stop any medicine.

After the course, your follow-up tests are what tell you and your clinician where things stand. Until those results are back, ask your clinician how to protect your partners.

It is normal to feel anxious during the wait. Many clinics and community groups can connect you with support. You can ask the clinic about counseling when you book your follow-up.

Why this matters in Miami-Dade

The Florida Department of Health's FLHealthCHARTS reports 23.7 new HIV diagnoses per 100,000 people in Miami-Dade County in 2025, which is 668 diagnoses. The statewide figure for Florida that year is 15.0 per 100,000, which is 3,512 diagnoses.

These numbers describe a community, not any one person. They are a reason many local clinics treat HIV prevention as routine care.

Questions about privacy and age

Florida Statute section 384.30 says any minor may consent to examination and treatment for sexually transmissible diseases, with no minimum age. The statute also says a minor's consultation, examination and treatment are confidential and may not be disclosed directly or indirectly, such as by billing a parent or guardian.

The statute covers examination and treatment for sexually transmissible diseases. Ask the clinic how it applies to PEP and billing in your case.

Low-cost and free testing next steps

Testing is part of PEP follow-up and part of general sexual health care. There are a few ways to find it.

CDC GetTested: Use gettested.cdc.gov to find testing sites by ZIP code. Each listing shows the services and whether an appointment is required.
Health department HIV testing line: The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County lists 786-792-5269 for HIV testing.
Health department STI clinics: The clinics in the table above offer "low or no-cost" testing, in the health department's words. Call 305-575-3800 for an appointment.
Free HIV home tests for Miami-Dade residents: The health department's HIV prevention page describes a free HIV home test program for Miami-Dade County residents. Ask your PEP clinician before using a home test for follow-up, because they will set the timing.

Key points to remember

PEP must start within 72 hours of a possible exposure, according to the CDC, and sooner is better.
A clinician prescribes it. Hospital emergency departments are the option at night and on weekends.
The CDC recommends a 28-day course, taken as your clinician directs.
Follow-up HIV testing is part of PEP care.
Free or low-cost testing is available in Miami through the health department and community clinics.

PEP in Miami: Emergency HIV Prevention Within 72 Hours