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 Philimon, have you noticed any other symptoms? A swollen lymph node usually suggests an infection. By itself it is not suggestive of HIV, rather more common infections like the cold, flu or COVID.
Hi Dr… I got exposed to a person with HIV and took pep after 36hrs…its now 15 days on pep but i have a swollen lymph node below my left jaw… What does that mean?
Hi Jimmy, yes your tests are conclusive. As the second test was 6 weeks after PEP this result is accurate. You do not have HIV.
Hi,
after a possible exposure, i took pep for 28days. I did two 4gen lab tests
1 : 4 weeks after the last dose of pep – negative
second : 6 weeks after the last dose of pep – negative
are my tests conclusive ?
regards,
Hi… I was exposed to HIV 127 days ago… I took PEP within 36 hours of exposure… I completed the PEP treatment within 28 days as required…. I tested negative after 109 days of exposure using a home test… Can I conclude that I am HIV negative if I haven’t had any exposure to HIV ever since…
Hi Frank, you are HIV negative. Your tests are confirmatory. There is no need to continue testing.
Hi Joshua, you have mentioned that you tested positive after three months? Is this correct?
If you have been testing negative and this was a mistake, you did not need to take another test at 6 months. What your doctor is said can be true. Depression and stress can often lead to illness – in this case being stressed about your HIV result would be likely to cause you to feel unwell.
Hie doctor, I was exposed to a possible HIV positive person. Then within 48 I was advised to take PEP. In the course of taking PEP, 3 weeks later I started becoming week and sick the ln I went on the 25th day I went to the hospital to get tested and the results were negative and I was told to come again after completion of PEP. I went again and the results were also negative. I was also told to go after 2 from the time of exposure, I went as well and the results were also negative. After three months from the date of exposure, I went there again and again the results were also positive. The doctor said that the sickness was just because of stress and depression. Could this be true or I should go back again after 6 months? Help me on this.
Hi Vincent, this doesn’t mean anything.
If you are worried this is a side effect, pls ask a doctor or pharmacist for advice. This is important if it gets worse, though the short course of PEP meds very rarely causes any problems.
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I’m 5 days old on pep course. But recently about a day ago I developed mouth sores and swollen lymph nodes and dry throat. What could this mean/symbolize.