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.
Hie i took PEP and completed the 28 day course . I went back to the Doctor and got tested . Results came back negative . However i am having symptoms such as a headache, Sore Throat , and painful . Could it be that it did not work ?
Hi Christone, the negative test is not bad news, but it doesn’t really tell you anything. It is pretty rare for people to test positive if they used PEP. Please don’t worry aboiut this, but test in 6 weeks.
Hello..i Finished my 1month PEP today, did an 4th Generation Antigen/Antibody Test (Blood was drawn from my vein & sent to Lab) it was Negative.. Ị know ị ll have to wait for 6 weeks to Test again.. Now, my Question is “is it a good Sign that it was Negative & that it will continue to be Like that till Next 6 weeks, so far ị didnt have any further exposure”? Also ị adhered completely to my PEP regimen, started within 24 hours.. Hope the PEP ll work.. Im kinda worried
Hi Richard, Did you run this test with consent? Does this person know you did this and do they have the result? Do they have access to healthcare? How are they taking the result? No-one has the right to make another person take an HIV test.
Hi, Good morning
Had a protected Sex, i noticed Blood on the Condom (it didnt break nor tore) & some on my Pubic hairs (i don’t have any cut or laceration on my skin) .. Ị Strongly suspect she’s Positive Cos ị ran a Rapid Test on her which showed 2 Lines.. Should i take PEP? Am ị at Risk.. I’m worried
Hi Joseph, i-Base information is based on UK guidelines which are based on the sensitivity of HIV tests. You need to ask your doctor for the evidence for their statements.
Hello, I got a negative test result 16 days after pep. My doctor told me it is conclusive but here in Ibase says that I need to wait 45 days after pep. Is that test accurate? I also read that at day 28 post pep is also accurate (there is a lot of mixed and ambiguous information). I’m actually on day 24 post pep (day 53 post exposure), and my anxiety is rising again.
Please see this link:
https://i-base.info/qa/19489
For some reason you sent many messages by email as well.
Hello!
I got in contact with an acute hiv person,there was penis rub then a condom was used.the man wasn’t on any drugs as he also Didint know he had the virus.
I started pep on the 58th hour.got exposed on 13th feb and started pep on 16th.I finished on 17th March and I took a finger prick test on 29th March.the test came out negative.
Do you think it’s a false negative?im waiting for the third month to go do the test again but I’m really scared.
Hi Chris, as you have used a condom there is no risk of transmission. Blood coming into contact with a condom is not considered a high risk and PEP would not be required.