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.
Hi doc.. I had unprotected sex and later than 72 hrs..that is 88 hrs later I started my pep dosage. After 30 days, I took a self test oral quick where I was tested negative. Is this enough coz as of now am experiencing symptoms such as body itching and muscle pain for over two weeks now.
Hi Jaden, as your partner has been on treatment for the last year with good adherence it makes this exposure very low risk. PEP would not be recommended in this case. This is because within a year of treatment it is expected for HIV to be suppressed below 200/undetectable meaning HIV cannot be passed on via sex. This is called U=U: https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/
hlw..i had exposure with hiv+ lady who after two days confirmed to me that she is hiv+ but been in ART for almost a year now and told me she never missies a dose since she started medication..but im still worried ..what are my chances of not being effected..
Hi Martin, do you know the type of test you used?
If this was a 4th generation test your result will be conclusive. If it was a 3rd generation you will be required to test again at 3 months after the last dose of PEP.
Testing: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
I tested negative after 2 months of taking pep should I be worried or maybe I should test again after 3 months??
Hi Jim, testing negative means you were unable to have passed on HIV, even during the course and your status was not confirmed. This is because it proves PEP was working and would have suppressed HIV to the point of being unable to pass it on.
Using a 4th generation test 6 weeks after the last dose of PEP will provide a conclusive result. No further HIV tests would be required.
PEP: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
Hi! I took PeP medication and 6 weeks after I stopped the pills i did the test and it was negative.
Is it possible that, while I was taking pep medication, the virus could be inside me and I could infect other people, but after the medication the virus was confronted , so now I not infectious?
Hi Marvelous, for more information about transmission nd testing see here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Pls I had unprotected sex on September 27th I took prep for like 10 days I tested for hiv on October it showed negative tested again on 4th November it came out negative but I keep having mild muscle pains I’m super worried
Hi, Josh
I was exposed to HIV on June 16 this year through unprotected sex, with a lady who turned out to be positive after we tested the next day. I started pep on the 17th and took it for 30 days. After pep I did an antibody test at 4 weeks, at 3months, at 4 months and at 5 months. At 4 and half months I did a 4generation combo test. It is now been 5 months since exposure and 4 months after pep. Are my tests conclusive or I need to repeat it at 6months?