Condom Broke? Get Emergency HIV PEP in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai & Koh Samui (Thailand)

Condom Broke? Emergency HIV PEP in Thailand (Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui)

Written by Dr Deyn Natthakhet Yaemim, Founding Director, PULSE Clinic. Originally published 6 June 2016. Last updated 14 October 2026.

If it has been less than 72 hours since a possible HIV exposure, please contact us now. The sooner PEP is started, the better it works.

A broken condom, a missed pill, or a sexual encounter you are worried about can be very stressful. Please know that you are not alone and that there is an effective emergency option. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a 28-day course of anti-HIV medicines that can prevent HIV infection when it is started in time.

This article explains who needs PEP, how it works, what happens at PULSE Clinic, and which tests to have afterwards, including our PCR 14, PCR 28 and PCR 31 panels for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Key points

• PEP is a 28-day course of anti-HIV medicines taken after a possible exposure to HIV.
• It must be started within 72 hours of exposure. It works best when started within hours, ideally within 24 hours.
• A doctor will assess your risk before prescribing PEP. Not every exposure needs it.
• PEP is available from sexual health clinics and hospital emergency departments.
• PEP greatly lowers the chance of HIV infection, but it is not 100% effective.

Emergency HIV PEP at PULSE Clinic

PEP Medications Options at PULSE Clinic

For more information about getting HIV treatment at PULSE Clinic, contact us at info.bkk@pulse-clinic.com or chat with us via one of the following platforms:

When do I need PEP?

A doctor will look at the type of exposure, how recently it happened, and the likelihood that your partner has HIV that is not controlled by treatment. You may be a candidate for PEP if, within the last 72 hours, you had:

• Condomless anal or vaginal sex with a partner who has HIV and is not on effective treatment
• Condomless anal or vaginal sex with a partner whose HIV status you do not know, especially if their risk is higher
• Sex where the condom broke or slipped off
• Sex where blood was present, or where either of you had cuts, sores or ulcers
• Contact with potentially infected blood or body fluids, for example through a needle-stick injury or shared injecting equipment

Being uncircumcised can slightly raise the risk during sex, and your doctor may consider it.

When PEP is usually not needed

• Your partner does not have HIV, and you are confident of this
• Your partner has HIV and has a sustained undetectable viral load on treatment. People in this situation cannot pass HIV on through sex.
• Oral sex. The risk is extremely low, and PEP is generally not recommended unless your partner is known to have HIV and you have cuts or sores in your mouth.
• Human bites or semen in the eye. The risk is very low, and your doctor will assess whether any blood was involved.

What if more than 72 hours have passed?

PEP is generally not recommended once 72 hours have passed, because it is less likely to work. However, please still see a doctor as soon as possible. You can be tested, your risk can be assessed, and your doctor can advise you on the options for your situation, including testing for other infections and future prevention such as PrEP.

How does emergency PEP work?

After HIV enters the body, it takes some time to establish itself permanently. PEP medicines work during this short window. They stop the virus from multiplying in the cells it has reached, so the immune system can clear it before an infection takes hold.

Can PEP protect me 100%?

No. PEP is not a cure for HIV, and it does not work every time. Infection after PEP is rare, and the risk is lowest when treatment starts quickly and the full course is taken. PEP can fail when:

• It is started too late
• Doses are missed, or the 28-day course is not completed
• The virus is resistant to some of the medicines, which is rare
• A very high amount of virus was present at the time of exposure
• You are exposed to HIV again while taking PEP, through condomless sex or shared needles

What happens at PULSE Clinic?

• Private consultation. Our doctor asks about what happened, the type of sexual contact, and what you know about your partner's HIV status. Please be as open as you can. We are here to help, not to judge.
• Rapid tests. We perform rapid HIV and hepatitis B tests, with results in about 15 minutes.
• Blood tests. These include kidney function, because some PEP medicines are cleared by the kidneys.
• PEP medicines. If PEP is right for you, you start your first doses straight away.
• STI testing and treatment. We check for, and if needed treat, other infections that may have been passed on.

The doctor's questions can feel personal, for example, about the type of sex and whether ejaculation occurred. This information helps us judge your risk correctly. Your answers are confidential.

Which medicines are used for PEP?

PEP combines three anti-HIV medicines for 28 days. The preferred backbone for adults is tenofovir with emtricitabine, which is also widely used to treat HIV. The third medicine, usually an integrase inhibitor such as dolutegravir, is chosen by your doctor. Both WHO and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend regimens of this type.

HIV that is resistant to some older medicines is uncommon, but it can happen. When your doctor judges the risk to be high, they may choose a newer regimen that is less likely to be affected by resistance, in line with CDC guidance. These medicines can cost more than older ones. Please ask our team for current pricing before you start.

What are the side effects of PEP?

Modern PEP regimens are generally well tolerated, and most side effects are mild and settle within days. The most common ones are tiredness, nausea, diarrhoea, headache and stomach discomfort. Rash and fever are less common. Studies of older PEP regimens reported that a sizeable share of people had mild side effects, and newer medicines are better tolerated, which helps people finish the course.

Please contact your doctor if you develop a rash, fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or side effects that make it hard to keep taking your medicines. Do not stop PEP without medical advice.

How can I remember to take PEP?

PEP only works if you take every dose for the full 28 days. These tips may help:

• Set a daily alarm on your phone
• Take your medicines at the same time each day, for example with breakfast or when you brush your teeth
• Keep them next to something you use every day
• Carry a few doses with you on a night out, in case you do not make it home
• Ask someone you trust to remind you

Taking other drugs while on PEP

PEP can interact with other prescription medicines, supplements and vitamins. For example, some antacids and products containing iron, calcium or magnesium can reduce how well certain PEP medicines work, so they need to be timed carefully. Recreational drugs can also have stronger or unexpected effects in combination with PEP. Please tell your doctor about everything you take or plan to take. We will not judge you, and the information helps keep you safe.

STD Rapid Test Price

HIV Rapid Test Price

STD PCR Test Price

Important: If you think you were exposed in the last 72 hours, please contact us right away. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is most effective when started within that time.

PCR multiplex panels: PCR 14, PCR 28 and PCR 31

PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is a molecular test that finds the genetic material of bacteria and viruses, even in tiny amounts. Our multiplex panels check for many infections from a single sample, which is why they suit people who want broad reassurance. Samples can be urine or swabs from the throat, anus, vagina, cervix or a skin sore, and there is also a semen option.

Please choose the sample that matches your sexual activity. A urine test cannot detect an infection that is only in the throat or rectum.

How do the three panels compare?

What is Included in the PCR 14 Full STD Panel Test?

• Chlamydia trachomatis (serovars A-K), which causes chlamydia
• Chlamydia trachomatis (serovars L1-L3), which causes LGV or lymphogranuloma venereum
• Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which causes Gonorrhea 
• Trichomonas vaginalis, which causes Trichomoniasis
• Mycoplasma hominis
• Mycoplasma genitalium
• Ureaplasma urealyticum 
• Ureaplasma parvum
• Herpes Simplex Virus type I
• Herpes Simplex Virus type II
• Treponema pallidum, which causes Syphilis
• Haemophilus ducreyi, which causes Chancroid
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
• Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV)

PCR Multiplex DNA Test for 14 infections

Our STD PCR Multiplex is an advanced test that detects 14 infections in various locations, including Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Syphilis, Chancroid, LGV, HSV-1, HSV-2, Trichomonas, Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma, CMV, and VZV. It can identify infections in the throat, oral cavity, urethra, anorectal area, vagina, cervix, sperm, and skin lesions.

*Same-day results are only available when the sample was taken at the clinic before noon (12 PM).
**Same-day and next-day results are only available at the Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket branches.

PCR Multiplex DNA Test for 28 infections

PCR 28 panel includes everything in PCR 14, plus yeast species (Candida albicans, dubliniensis, glabrata, krusei, lusitaniae, parapsilosis, and tropicalis) and bacteria linked to the vaginal flora and bacterial vaginosis (Atopobium vaginae, Gardnerella vaginalis, Bacteroides fragilis, Megasphaera type 1, Mobiluncus, bacterial vaginosis-associated bacteria 2, and Lactobacillus).

Comprehensive STD Screening Package Price at PULSE Clinic

• Prices are in Thai baht
• Price per one location of testing
• Online results will be available at PULSE Online Portal (POP) and the E-Doc mobile application
• For semen/sperm specimens, please avoid all sexual activity that results in ejaculating semen/sperm for 2 - 7 days before providing the sample.
• For PCR28 same-day results, the sample must be taken at the clinic before noon (12.30 p.m.).

PCR 31: Our most comprehensive panel

For individuals seeking maximum peace of mind, our PCR 31 panel is the most extensive molecular screening option available at PULSE Clinic. Building upon the coverage of our PCR 14 and PCR 28 panels, PCR 31 screens for 31 specific pathogens in a single sample collection—ranging from classic sexually transmitted infections to complex vaginal microflora changes, opportunistic fungi, and urinary tract bacteria.

One test. 31 microbes. Multiple body areas.

PCR31 Test - STD Screening Promotion at PULSE Clinic Thailand

• Prices are in Thai baht
• Online results will be available at the PULSE Online Portal (POP) and the E-Doc mobile application
• For same-day result testing, the sample must be taken at the clinic before noon (12:30 PM)
• Same-day and next-day results are only available at the Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket branches

Contact us at info.bkk@pulse-clinic.com or chat on your preferred platform:

What Infections Does PCR31 Detects?

PCR31 detects 31 pathogens that cause STDs in one go. From most common infections like herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, to often unnoticed infections like mycoplasma genitalium that causes urethritis, which when left untreated often go antibiotic-resistant.

A note on reading PCR results

Some organisms on the wider panels, such as Ureaplasma, Mycoplasma hominis, Candida and Gardnerella, can live harmlessly in the body. A positive result does not always mean treatment is needed. PCR can also detect genetic material from organisms that are no longer alive, so a positive shortly after treatment may not mean the infection is active. Our doctors review every result with you in context.

Please also note that PCR 14, 28 and 31 do not replace blood tests for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. We can arrange these at the same visit.

Which test is right for you?

Our doctors will gladly help you choose during your consultation.

What the PCR panels do not cover

PCR 14, 28 and 31 do not test for HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C. These are diagnosed with blood tests, which we perform as part of your PEP assessment and follow-up. PCR panels also do not include HPV, which is tested separately.

When should I take the PCR test?

PCR for chlamydia and gonorrhoea is most reliable from about 14 days after exposure. At your first visit, your doctor may take samples and, where appropriate, offer treatment straight away because of the exposure. They will tell you when to repeat testing so that nothing is missed. Please remember that PCR can detect genetic material from organisms that are no longer alive, so a positive result soon after treatment does not always mean the infection is still active.

What should I do after finishing the 28-day course?

Please return to us or see your doctor for follow-up HIV testing. Guidelines recommend testing at about 4 to 6 weeks and again at 3 months after the exposure, and your doctor will confirm the schedule that suits you. Your doctor may also discuss HIV prevention going forward, such as PrEP, and vaccination against hepatitis B if you are not immune. Please use condoms or avoid further exposure until your final result is confirmed.

Emergency PEP at weekends

HIV does not wait for office hours. Our Silom branch in Bangkok is open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., 365 days a year, and other branches are open daily at set times (see below). You can walk in or book an appointment. If our clinics are closed and it is within 72 hours of exposure, please go to the nearest hospital emergency department and ask for PEP.

How risky is each type of exposure?

The figures below are estimates of HIV risk per single exposure from published studies. They are older estimates, and actual risk depends on many factors, including viral load, treatment, and whether a condom was used.

Even a low estimate is not a guarantee of safety. If you are worried, please do not wait to ask a doctor.

Why choose PULSE Clinic for emergency PEP?

• Experienced doctors who have helped thousands of patients after sexual accidents, without judgement
• Rapid HIV and hepatitis B tests with results in about 15 minutes
• Up-to-date PEP regimens in line with WHO and CDC guidance
• Walk-ins welcome, with online booking available
• Discreet, confidential care
• PCR 14, PCR 28 and PCR 31 panels for complete STI screening

Where to get emergency PEP in Thailand

Contact us at info.bkk@pulse-clinic.com or chat on your preferred platform:

Frequently asked questions

What is PEP?

PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is a 28-day course of anti-HIV medicines taken after a possible exposure to HIV to prevent infection.

How soon must I start PEP?

Within 72 hours of exposure. It works best when started within 24 hours, so please do not wait.

The condom broke. Do I need PEP?

It depends on your partner's HIV status and your risk. If your partner has HIV and is not on effective treatment, or if you do not know their status, PEP may be recommended. A doctor will assess you. If your partner has an undetectable viral load, PEP is not usually needed.

Is PEP 100% effective?

No. It greatly lowers the chance of HIV infection, but it can fail, especially if it is started late or doses are missed.

What are the side effects of PEP?

Most people have none or mild ones, such as tiredness, nausea, diarrhoea or headache. These usually settle within days.

Can I drink alcohol or take other drugs while on PEP?

Please tell your doctor about any medicines, supplements or recreational drugs you take, as some can interact with PEP. Missing doses because of a night out is a common reason PEP fails.

Does PEP protect me from other STIs?

No. PEP only targets HIV. We recommend STI testing with a PCR panel and, where appropriate, treatment for infections such as gonorrhoea, chlamydia and syphilis.

Do the PCR 14, 28 and 31 tests include HIV?

No. HIV is tested with blood tests, which we perform during your PEP assessment and follow-up.

What happens after I finish PEP?

You will have follow-up HIV tests, usually at about 4 to 6 weeks and 3 months after exposure. Your doctor may also discuss PrEP for future protection.

For more information about getting HIV treatment at PULSE Clinic, contact us at info.bkk@pulse-clinic.com or chat with us via one of the following platforms: