Question
Is a negative HIV test four weeks after PEP okay?
7 June 2023. Related: All topics, HIV testing, PEP/PEPSE, South Africa.
Good day.
Is it possible to test positive after testing negative after completing 28 day of PEP?
Answer
Hi
In the UK, people need to wait 4 to 6 weeks after the last dose of PEP before taking a 4th generation HIV antigen/antibody test.
If this test is negative after 6 weeks, then someone is told they do not have HIV. If it is negative after 4 weeks, it means HIV is unlikely, but that a second test should confirm this after a few more weeks.
There is no point taking an HIV test as soon as you finish PEP.
This is because the PEP could just be covering up or delaying a potential infection.
This answer was updated in June 2023 from a question first posted in November 2020. This is because UK guidelines now recommend testing after 6 weeks rather than after 4 weeks.
Hey Josh, I didn’t take PEP after exposure. But tested negative at 23rd and 49th day with 4th generation hiv combo test. Is this conclusive? Or should I retest again? Please reply, I am so much worried!
I had protected oral sex with csw and after that fingered her and then touched my penis with same hands.
Hi Hibajo, I am sorry that I don’t understand what you ae asking about – please could you reword this?
I don’t understand the conception of Hiv
Hi Kwizela, you stopped PEP after a week? The earliest you can test for a conclusive result is 6 weeks after your last dose using a 4th generation test.
I was exposed to risk on February 4 of this year and started my PEP dosage immediately. After which I tested negative, within a week after I stopped taking the dose. Could this be conclusive about my HIV ststus?
Hi Unarine, an INSTI HIV self-test kit looks for HIV antibodies in the body. These tests require 3 months after exposure before the result is accurate. This is because the body can take time to make antibodies and earlier tests can give false results. A 4th generation antigen/antibody test would be able to provide conclusive results from 6 weeks after PEP.
Hi Dr, i have taken full course of PEP(TLD) its been 4 weeks now since i completed pep, i took a test with INSTI HIV self test, i got negative results ist accurate
Hi Andres, yes this test is definitive. A 4th generation antigen/antibody test is conclusive 6 weeks and longer after the last dose of PEP.
Hello Josh first of all I want to thank you for the great work you do.
I would like to ask you if you think that an Ag/Ab combo test is definitive 11 and a half weeks after the last dose of PEP.
I experienced shingles a month before taking this test but a doctor told me that it was probably due to the strong stress and anguish I was experiencing at the time.
Opinions regarding the window period after PEP in the forums are ambiguous and confusing.
Hi Jack, having a sore throat is not going to increase your chances of HIV. Oral sex carries little to no risk of transmission. As you are on PEP and started so soon there is minimal risk (if any at all). As this is low risk you can either stop PEP or if you are more comfortable you can continue to take it. You can test from 6 weeks after the last dose of PEP using a 4th generation test.