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.
Hello, had protected Sex, noticed Blood on the Condom, Tested her with a Rapid kit (there was two Bar Lines indicating likely positive but its not confirmatory)
Am ị at Risk? Any need for PEP
Hi Prosper, your results are good and suggest that you are HIV negative. However for these results to be conclusive, a 4th generation test would need to be taken 6 weeks post PEP. This would date around the 25th of April.
After my exposure to hiv positive girl on 1st February on 9th February I started pep until 11th March (30 days), on 25th March I tested negative with 4th generation test 2 weeks post pep … on April 5th I tested again with PCR And ROCHE HIV CAMBI PT negative 24 days post pep.. what do you think about my results so far?
Hi Delph, yes you are. This test is accurate of your status from 12 weeks post PEP. You are HIV negative.
Hi doctor ,
I tested negative with SELF RAPID hiv 1and hiv 2 antibody test at 17 WEEKS POST PEP
Am I cleared now ?
Hi, there is almost no risk of you being HIV positive from this exposure. A penis rub carries little to almost no risk of transmission depending on how you were doing this. TLD is an effective regimen for PEP if started within 72 hours – you started within 58 hours. Kissing carries no risk of HIV transmission. Why is your fiancee taking these drugs? There is no concern for you to be anxious about your test results. From this exposure it would be expected that you are HIV negative. Please see this link about feelings of anxiety around testing: https://i-base.info/guides/testing/hiv-testing-feelings-of-fear-anxiety-and-guilt
I got exposed to an hiv positive person,just through penis rub and no penetration.
I took Pep on the 58th hour cause that’s when I found out he was positive.
I have finished taking the pep and it’s now 5weeks post it.
IL be having a test next week,but I’m so scared I don’t know if TLD worked since I took it that late.
Do you think I stand a chance of coming out ok?
Also my fiancé has been taking the drugs but we di kiss,when I refuse to kiss him he feels bad so I just go ahead,now I’m scared maybe I could get it from the kissing.
Hi John, this test is conclusive. Any result after 12 weeks (regardless of test) is conclusive. You do not have HIV.
Hi doc
88 days after PEP (12 week and 4 days) i am tested Ab test the result negative
And 11and 20 days after PEP i am tested RNA PCR quantitative test the result negative (target not detected )
My test result convulsive?
Need to do anthor test or no?
Please help me
Hi James, no you do not. A 4th generation test is conclusive 6 weeks after finishing PEP. You do not have HIV.