Q and A

Question

Is a negative HIV test four weeks after PEP okay?

7 June 2023. Related: All topics, HIV testing, PEP/PEPSE, Southern Africa.

Good day.

Is it possible to test positive after testing negative after completing 28 day of PEP?

Answer

Answer: Simon Collins

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.

Please see this link for more information about PEP:
https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq

Simon.

281 comments

  1. Amrit •

    Hi josh,

    Thanks for your reply.

    Is it safe to donate my blood when needed.
    Should I wait more.

  2. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Alice, do you know the type of test you used? If this was a 4th generation test your result will be conclusive.

    Please see here for more information: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing

  3. Alice •

    Hey I finished pep on June date10 I tested after 8weeks it was negative am I safe

  4. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Richardo, yes your results are conclusive. You are HIV negative.

  5. Richardo •

    I tested negative 28 and 45 days after pep (4th gen lab test). Are my results conclusive?

  6. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Amrit, your test is conclusive. You do not have HIV. You do not need any further tests. Your symptoms are not related to HIV.

  7. Amrit •

    I started taking pep from 1 March 2023. I took it for 25 days. Last dose was on 25 march
    Then I tested 4th gen test on 8 April it was negative.
    I took again the 4th gen test on 29th July. It stated negative result.
    I don’t know but I am facing fever and warmness in the body. Can it be possible pep delayed the seroconversion time.
    Should I take test after in October again.

  8. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Pascal, this test on the 9th will be able to confirm your status. Have you mentioned these symptoms to your doctor? Symptoms of HIV are not very specfiic and can be caused by a number of things inc. stress, other infections and even poor sleep.

  9. Pascal •

    Hi I take pep 30 days but when I was taking the pep I always having sysptoms of hiv in my mouth and throat that last 2 months now and after I finish in June , all through July I was in pains sysptoms all my mouth ear ,tongue and throat and something I have all my body aches and more in my leg In this August 3 I went to hiv test that is 1 month and 3 days after finishing pep and I receive my test on 4 August and all is perfect but am still having problems in my body and my mouth
    But my main appointment is on 9August which I went back the doctor told me that I don’t need to do more test am afraid

  10. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Raka, this test is conclusive. You do not need any further tests. You are HIV negative.