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.
Hey Josh,
Sorry to keep coming back and forth with this.
So you’re saying that know one has ever tested positive after this? Is this backed up by studies?
Thank you for your help!
Hi Jake, you do not need any further tests. Your result is conclusive. You are HIV negative.
Hey Josh,
I finished PEP on July 19th. 49 days later (August 7th) I took a 4th generation test and it came out negative.
Do I need any further testing? Can I safely move on?
Hi Jake, if this was a 4th generation antigen/antibody test your result is conclusive. You are HIV negative and do not require any further tests.
Hey Josh,
I’ve tested negative 49 days after the last dose of PEP (7 weeks). Is it safe to say that this result is conclusive and I do think need testing anymore?
Hi Jake, no this is not suggestive of HIV. You can test conclusively 6 weeks from the last dose of PEP using a 4th generation test.
Josh, I have a swollen lymph node on the right side of my neck.
If this was HIV suggestive it would’ve shown on a test already, right?
I think I read you saying that symptoms after PEP usually shows around the first weeks right? Not on week 5 like me?
I know you told me not to worry and I had no risks, but this is getting me preoccupied.
Hi Raviprakash, please see here: https://i-base.info/guides/testing/symptoms-and-seroconversion
What is the difference between HIV fever and Normal Fever?
How long HIV fever lasts?
Hi Jake, yes you can trust the Poz forum. What you experienced was not a risk for HIV.