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.
Hi!
I had hiv exposure through unprotected sexual intercourse. I started Pep 21 hours after the exposure. However, 8 days into pep I did get 3 big boils on my behind, then 2 days after that I got diarrhea, which lasted 2 weeks. I completed the course of pep already, that is, 3 weeks ago. But 2 weeks after finishing Pep I started having a facial and nasal burning sensation and a bit of runny nose. No fever, no swollen lymph nodes, no body aches.
I heard and also read on Aidsmap website that Pep, if failed, would not produce seroconversion symptoms at all because the virus, even if it successfully established hiv infection, has been weaken by the pep medication.
What is your opinion?
HI Johny, as your partner is on treatment it makes this a very low risk exposure. In most cases, people who are on treatment cannot pass on HIV. This is called U=U: https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/ This means that when someone is on treatment with a viral load below 200, HIV cannot be passed on via sex.
In this case there is no need to continue with PEP. As your risk is already low and after 6 days PEP will not be effective as it needs to be started within 72 hours of the exposure.
I’m about to get married next year with my lover.
On that night I’m not in a mood to have sex she told me she want sex. I had sex without condom with a friend she dint tell me she is HiV positive after sex i reach home she told me that she is HIV
But she is medical treatment ART. I cried the whole night almost a week ia cant sleep.
It difficult to get PEP in our area. After 6days I went for HIV test it is found Negative after 14days i test agaun it was negative that time I’m on PEP.
After 6 days I take PEP till now I get no symptom after taken pep i sweat then pain on the lymp but can notice it it has no sign from outside lymp. Now is 25 days from the date of exposure and 18days of pep. Ive no symptom of HIV. I’m afraid now.. anyone pls help me to answer.
Hi Concerned, these symptoms are not HIV related. As the symptoms have persisted have you been to speak with a doctor?
Hi I had sex multiple times in 36 hours with a woman I later tested and confirmed was HIV positive. I started taking pep within 48 hours. But within the 48 right side of the face was hot. And my lymph node on the jaw inflamed and experiencing some kind of facial neuropathy. Even after taking pep this neuropathy has persisted. I have experienced no other symptom other than what I have described. I have continued to take pep and I am on the 2nd week. now. Kindly advise this strange symptoms are hiv related.
Hi Soul, after PEP you need to wait 6 weeks before having a confirmatory test result. This will need to be with a 4th generation antigen/antibody test. If you are using a 3rd generation test only you will need to wait 12 weeks.
Please see here for more information: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Hi,
I had unprotected sex with Sex worker taken pep within 24 hours. Just 1 day before I had completed pep 28 day. Can I test Now just after completing pep? I had ejaculate inside her vagina it can increase risk if I had ejaculate inside her??? Please reply..
Hi Robertilo, these symptoms are not signs of seroconversion. Seroconversion would occur AFTER PEP and would not last for as long as you’ve had these symptoms. As these symptoms have now been ongoing for over a month have you gone to see your doctor?
Hello
I slept with an hiv positive person without any protection. I was drunk. I started PEP 26 hours after and I finished. Taking it
However, 15 days into PEP I started having diarrhea, nausea, fatigue and a mild headache, no other symptoms, and I still have them up to now, which 22 days after I finished taking PEP
My questions is, if PEP fails, will hiv virus still be able to strike the gut lining/cd4 cells within 15 days of PEP or or while you are on it?
Thanks in advance for your explanation
Hi Jake, no person has ever tested positive after testing similar to how you have done. i-base is not a testing charity. For further information please see here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing