- EXACT stands for EXposure, Anxiety, Counselling, Testing and Treatment.
- It brings medical care and emotional support into one confidential pathway.
- It is designed for anyone worried after a sexual exposure, including travelers returning from Thailand.
- Everything is available online from India, in Hindi or English.
After a sexual exposure, most people face a confusing maze. One website talks about PEP, another about window periods, a third about symptoms. A lab offers tests but no explanation. A friend offers reassurance but no expertise. And through all of it, anxiety builds quietly in the background.
We created the EXACT program to replace that maze with a single, clear path. Here's how it works.
What EXACT Stands For
EXACT brings together the four needs that almost everyone has after an exposure:
- EX: Exposure. Understanding exactly what happened and how much risk it carried.
- A: Anxiety. Addressing the fear, sleeplessness and checking that often follow.
- C: Counselling. One-to-one guidance on decisions, relationships and prevention.
- T: Testing and Treatment. The right tests at the right time, and prompt treatment when needed.
Most services offer one or two of these. EXACT combines all of them under one doctor, so nothing falls between the cracks.
Step 1: Exposure Assessment
Every journey begins with a private, detailed conversation. Dr. Yuvraj Monga asks about the type of contact, condom use, bleeding, what's known about the partner and, most importantly, how many hours have passed. If you are within 72 hours and the exposure is significant, PEP is discussed immediately, because delay reduces its effectiveness. Our guide on how exposure risk is assessed explains the factors involved.
Step 2: Anxiety Support
Anxiety isn't a side issue. It can disrupt sleep, work and relationships, and it can push people into repeated, poorly timed testing. In EXACT, we address it directly with practical tools: breathing and grounding techniques, limits on symptom-checking, and structured ways to respond to catastrophic thoughts.
Step 3: Counselling
Counselling sessions cover the questions that tests can't answer. Should I tell my partner? How do I protect my family while I wait? What went wrong, and how do I prevent it next time? Is PrEP right for me? Sessions are available in Hindi or English, by chat, voice or video.
Step 4: Testing
You receive a written testing schedule tailored to your exposure, covering HIV and relevant STDs such as gonorrhoea, chlamydia and syphilis. We help you choose a nearby lab or home sample collection, and we interpret every report with you. No more guessing whether a result "counts".
Step 5: Treatment
If PEP is indicated, Dr. Monga prescribes it and monitors side effects throughout the 28-day course. If an STD is detected, treatment begins promptly, with guidance for your partner. If HIV is diagnosed, we explain what it means, start or link you to treatment, and support you through the next steps. With modern treatment, people with HIV live long, healthy lives.
Why an Integrated Program Works Better
When medical care and emotional support are separated, people fall through the gaps. They take PEP without understanding follow-up testing, or they test correctly but stay trapped in anxiety. Bringing everything together means:
- Faster action in the critical first 72 hours.
- Fewer unnecessary tests and less expense.
- Clearer understanding of results.
- Better emotional recovery after the scare.
Built for Travelers Returning From Thailand
A large share of the people we help are Indians and other travelers who had an encounter in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket or elsewhere. EXACT is designed for their situation: guidance on getting PEP abroad, continuity of care after returning, discreet testing in India and support for the guilt and anxiety that often follow. Our article on what to do after returning from Thailand is a good starting point.
Private and 100% Confidential
Every stage of EXACT is confidential. You can begin with just a phone number. We never contact family members or employers, and medicines in India are delivered in discreet packaging.
About Dr. Yuvraj Monga
Dr. Yuvraj Monga (MBBS, MD) is an infectious disease specialist with more than 25 years of clinical experience in HIV, STDs, PEP and PrEP. He consults online from India with patients across the country and abroad, offering care that is direct, evidence-based and free of judgment.
Begin Where You Are
Whether your exposure was last night or months ago, EXACT meets you where you are. The first step is a private message. From there, you'll have a clear plan and a doctor beside you until the end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the EXACT program prevent HIV?
Counselling on its own cannot prevent HIV. What the program does is make sure you get the right medical steps at the right time, including PEP when you're eligible, which can greatly reduce the risk of infection after an exposure.
How long does the EXACT program last?
It depends on your situation. A low-risk concern may be resolved in one or two sessions. A higher-risk exposure usually continues until your final test result, typically around six weeks to three months.
Can I join EXACT if my exposure happened months ago?
Yes. Many people join after a long period of worry. We review past tests, check whether anything further is needed, and focus on the anxiety that remains.
Related Reading
- The plan after returning from Thailand
- How exposure risk is assessed
- HIV anxiety after a Thailand trip
- The testing timeline
- The HIV care continuum
- Confidential counselling in Hindi or English
Medical note: This article is for education and does not replace a personal consultation. If your exposure happened within the last 72 hours, seek PEP immediately at the nearest hospital or contact a specialist. If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, call Tele-MANAS on 14416 in India, the Mental Health Hotline 1323 in Thailand, or your local emergency number.
