Question

I had sex part way through my course of PEP. Is my partner at risk?

16 December 2021. Related: All topics, HIV transmission, PEP/PEPSE, Sero different couples.

I am HIV negative and I previously had unprotected sex with an HIV positive woman. I immediately started PEP medication. At day 23, I had unprotected sex with my wife before completing my dose. I am very worried of a possible re-infection and also infecting my wife with the virus. Is there any likelihood of both of us remaining negative?

Answer

Answer: Josh Peasegood

Hi, how are you?

Starting PEP immediately will have greatly reduced your risk. It is also encouraging that this event happened at day 23. By this point, PEP will be established in your body and hopefully working.

There is no guarantee that PEP will have worked. Though in this circumstance it is very unlikely that your wife will be infected. It would not be recommend for your wife to start PEP based on how low risk this event was. The most important thing is to continue with your course of PEP and test 28 days later.

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.

20 comments

  1. Simon Collins •

    Hi Lickson, thanks, please see here for info on PEP:
    https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq

  2. Lickson •

    I am HIV negative and I previously had unprotected sex with an HIV positive woman. I immediately started PEP medication. At day 23, I had unprotected sex with another positive woman . Will I need to take another dose of PEP ? What can I do ? Please help me!
    The exposure was high

  3. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Simba, while on PEP you are protected from further exposures.

    More information about PEP can be found here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq

  4. Simba •

    Had sex on day 2 unprotected with a negative person and on day 9 too the same person…my initial exposure was that I had u protected sex for less than 5 minutes no ejaculation little fluid

  5. Simon Collins •

    Hi Hidza, everything we know about PEP is here:
    https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq

  6. Hidza •

    Hie .I was on day 17 of PeP was exposed to a lady.day 22 again exposed and we tested she was positive. She say she is not on treatment.should I extent my PeP or am exposed already.please help

  7. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Lesego, no you do not need to extend the course of PEP. You can complete your course of PEP as expected.

    While on PEP you are protected from further exposures. This explained by PEP working as PrEP while you are taking it daily.

    PEP: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq

  8. Lesego •

    Hi on day 24 of PEP I had sex and the condom broke & I continued taking the medicine I’m worried that I might have had an exposure. What do I do ?
    After finishing do I start another 28 days or do I go on Prep?

  9. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Dee, after 3 days PEP would no longer be active in your body. If this is a high risk exposure you would require a second course of PEP. Do you know if this man was on treatment/had an undetectable viral load? If this is the case there would be no need for PEP. Have you considered using PrEP in the future? PrEP is a treatment similar to PEP but works to prevent transmission before exposure rather than needing to take a course of PEP after. More information about PrEP can be found here: https://i-base.info/guides/prep

  10. Dee •

    Hi I had unprotected sex 3 days after finishing my PEP coursewith a positive man.Do i immediately start taking PEP again for another month ? Please help i am so worried