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.
Josh sir.
After 54 days finish my pep i took 4th generation test p24 ag/ab result is 0.12 non reactive
Should i have to take any other test or i have to wait some more day?
I have some problem like stoomach problem little body rash on my hand little sore throat i am scare please help me
Hi Repre, even if the condom did not cover the entire shaft, as long as the head of the penis was covered there is no risk of transmission. PEP would not be needed. Please see here for more information about transmission: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Hi
Can I be infected at one exposure ?
We were practically safe sex I was using ACondom but it was tight and didn’t cover the whole part and I have genital herpes, I am HIV negative and I started the 28 days pep, starting pep I started having fever, late nights sweats, trouble staying asleep
Then two/3 weeks after pep I’m having Rash/Hives, Insomnia, night sweats. after finishing pep the symptoms are still there mostly hives/rush and Insomnia and less nights sweats.
After 1 week I am going to have a 4th generation test to assess the effectiveness of PEP and after 11 days I will have to go through check blood since I am in Dubai
Please I would like your advice/help
HI Ceaser, please see here for more information: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Hi josh
Can I be infected at one exposure ?
We were practically safe sex I was using ACondom but it’s pulled off and I didn’t know until I ejaculate when I came out I realised my Comdom has removed , we ran a test and she was positive while I was negative and I started the 30days pep , two weeks after pep I’m having fever and Rash soar throat .
Could this be the early symptoms or a different infection .
Hi OJ, your result is conclusive. A 3rd generation test after 3 months from the last dose of PEP is an accurate result. You do not have HIV.
Good day
I am an health worker
I was exposed due to a needle prick from a possible AIDS patient (because she already had alot of auto immune diseases before the test confirmation) no information if she was ever on drugs so it is assumed she had an high viral load
I am 3 months post PEP today (finished PEP 30th of MAY) and 4 months post exposure
I tested negative again yesterday with a 3th generation rapid test strip
But I have had a lot of symptoms weeks after pep
-Rash all over my face, and tiny rash all over my body including pubic region, with a red single rash that appeared severally on different positions on my hand
-A raised painless portion close to my gum underneath my tongue (still present but going down very slowly), I don’t know if there are lymph nodes in the mouth
Presently I am having
-Sore throat, body pain, muscle ache, nausea without vomiting, fever
Is there any possibility the result will change
The combination I took was TLD for 30days
Hi Briggs, testing positive for typhoid is not an early sign of HIV. As you had used PEP it is very likely that you will remain HIV negative.
Hello Josh ,
I got expose 17th June, my condom pulled off , we ran a test same day I was Negative but she was Positive , spoke with a pharmacist who gave me pep six hours after exposure with vitamin C supplements plus an immune booster that I took for 30days complete .
2 weeks after pep I’m having fever , body pains and few rash, one on my face and one on my shoulder .
Took a full blood count test and MP result came out my blood is okay and no malaria but there’s typhoid. I’m currently taking typhoid meds
Please sir could this be early symptoms of the virus ?
I’m almost at the age of life cos alot will spoil for me
Hi Jessie, please see here for more information: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq