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.
I’m sorry i had a mistake, i meant sore throat, not sore throad, is sore throat symptom of HIV?
Hi, 2 weeks ago i had 4th gen test ELISA, 79 days after exposure and 51 days after pep, is this conclusive?
Hi Jadon, these symptoms are not suggestive of HIV.
Please follow this link for more information about testing and transmission: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
3 weeks after exposure i had sore throad, red and painful lymph nodes, is this a symptom of HIV?
Hi Jason, yes this test is conclusive. 42 days after PEP with a 4th gen test is accurate – you waited longer than this.
You are HIV negative.
Hi Jadon, a 4th gen test is conclusive from 6 weeks AFTER finishing PEP.
Please follow this link for more information about testing: https://i-base.info/guides/testing
I got test after 52 days using truvada as pep, 4th gen test(ELISA), is my test conclusive?
Hi Fabulous, yes you are clear. These results are conclusive.
You are HIV negative.
I got tested last week 6 weeks after finishing PEP with 4th gen Elisa. Results negative. Am I clear now
Hi Nigel, how long after finishing PEP did you wait before being tested? Due to how PEP works, most tests are not valid until at least 6 weeks after finishing PEP.
This is not to say you have HIV. A headache and sore throat are very common symptoms of almost any illness. Have you spoken to a doctor or pharmacist about your symptoms yet?