Question
Does PEP delay seroconversion?
24 December 2021. Related: All topics, PEP/PEPSE.
Hi, I had an exposure in early October.
I took PEP (TDF + FTC + DTG) after 5 hours of the exposure. I did not accompany the doses with meals, I took them alone with water or some drink. Can this interfere or reduce its effectiveness?
Does PEP delay seroconversion in case of failure? At 5 weeks after finishing PEP swollen lymph glands in both armpit.
Answer
Hi, how are you doing?
PEP does have the potential to delay seroconversion.
As PEP works similar to medication used to manage HIV, PEP if unsuccessful can delay seroconversion.
This is why testing a minimum of 4 weeks after PEP is required. Seroconversion can occur 1-3 weeks after the course ends. Only 80% of those who do seroconvert in failed PEP will experience classical symptoms e.g., fatigue, fever, headache etc.
Five weeks after finishing PEP would be later than expected if this was really HIV. Swollen lymph nodes can arise from a number of infections, not only HIV. Is this symptom being managed by a doctor?
The combination you have taken can be consumed with or without food. This would not have impacted how well it worked as PEP.
If you have another question do ask,
Josh.
Five days after pep i feel anxiety and i have got swallon limphy nodes and muscles achies does it suggest that i may be exposed ??
Hi Shad, please see here for more information: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Hello greetings.My question is how long can someone be in the window period after exposure?.I recently got exposed through sexual intercourse on the 5th of May and only got to find out that the person I slept with is reactive after I tested her and I was not eligible for PEP because I found out 10 days later.I got tested on the 20th and 28th of the same month and my results were negative.Despite having sex with her I did not ejaculate so my question is what are the chances that I will remain negative?I got circumcised many years ago.
Hi Missy, what is the name of the drug you are taking? When you switched to taking them in the evening did the nausea go away? If you are still comfortable and the nausea is not having a significant impact on your life the side effect is not serious. Often side effects lessen the longer you are on treatment. If this nausea is effecting your daily life, you should speak with your doctor/pharmacist about other options e.g., they may offer another medication to reduce the nausea or change the drug you are using as PEP.
I’ve been on pep for 11 days and now I’m getting nauseous and dizzy. I experienced the nausea part on day 1,2,3 but switched to night time taking them. Is this a serious side effect from being on them for 11 days. Not sure if I should stop taking them.
Hi Moses, have you completed your course of PEP? Being on PEP means that your symptoms are very unlikely to be caused by HIV. How long have you had these symptoms for? As you have mentioned, the most likely cause is the flu. You will be able to confirm your HIV status 6 weeks after the last dose of PEP using a 4th generation test.
I was on PEP after an exposure to the virus, 2weeks after PEP I tested non reactive, now after 6 weeks am developing night sweets, body weakness and flue like condition (muscus in the throat) could this be a sign of HIV infection
Hi J, while on PEP symptoms of HIV are delayed – even if PEP fails. PEP would suppress any HIV meaning that seroconversion would only occur after PEP ends because it is no longer suppressing HIV.
This means what you are experiencing is likely the general flu or some other common illness. These symptoms are not a sign of HIV.
Hi I had a high risk exposure 2 weeks ago (condom broke with sw) I jumped on pep at 5 hours post exposure. I am taking TLD (acriptega) and have not missed a dose. I am 16 days in and for the last 3 days I have had a developing flu, blocked/runny nose with a mucusy cough at times and at other times it’s clear and dry cough. Not to much of a headache, loss of appetite which I do think is due to stress and anxiety. My question is, is it possible to seroconvert while on pep? Is what I am experiencing a general flu and if I was to seroconvert would it happen after the pep cycle was completed?
Hi Adnan, no this is not a sign of PEP failure. Testing now using a 4th gen test will be 95% accurate. Doing this test can help reduce some stress and anxiety as testing negative on this test will almost definitely mean your test at 6 weeks will also be negative. The test at 6 weeks will then be conclusive.