Question
Taking PEP for more than 28 days.
15 December 2021. Related: All topics, HIV testing, PEP/PEPSE.
Someone got an exposure three weeks back and started PEP. He’s now scared of the sero-conversion period, 1-3 weeks after finishing PEP. He wants to continue PEP after this course ends. What can I advise him and please explain the methods of how the RNA already in the body get out and within what period of time?
Answer
Hi, how are you doing?
Taking PEP for longer than 28 days will not increase how effective it is. At this point PEP will have worked or not. It is important to stop taking PEP so you can be tested after 4 weeks. A test beforehand might give a false result because of PEP masking the infection. This step is important as it will determine if you need to be on HIV medication.
If you continue with PEP and have HIV without knowing, HIV will not be very well managed. PEP works differently and you will be putting yourself at risk for complications if you do not properly find out your status.
PEP works by preventing the early stage of infection. The initial exposure is local to the site of infection. Local immune cells will be infected. PEP stops these cells infecting others which then goes onto to infect the entire bodies immune system. Stopping it early means the infected cells cannot spread and they die. This is how the viral RNA is removed from the body.
Please see this link for more information about PEP:
https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
If you have another question please get in touch,
Josh.