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, what you have described is not a risk for HIV. Your current symptoms are not caused by HIV.
For more information about transmission please see here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Hi Josh….
I didn’t really have penetrative sex but rather it was Rubbing against each other’s genitals and just a little oral here and there…….this happened around 3-4ams then the next day at 10am (+-32hrs after exposure ) I started pep…….this happened exactly 1 week ago. Yesterday I woke up with a sore throat and some flu like symptoms…..I am abit worried that this has anything to do with that possible exposure.
Hi Bul, no this does not indicate transmission. Even with the condom coming off, as you had used it it makes HIV transmission ery unlikely.
For information about transmission please see here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Hi. I have an exposure with a sex worker on 30th November around 3.30 pm. We had anal sex with condom. But after finish i realise the condom was stuck inside the other person’s anal. I was worried and got PEP on the next day 1st December at around 12 pm. I am always thirsty since started PEP. On the 9th day of PEP i had mild rashes that lasted for two days. And also diarrhea each time i had bowel movement. Diarrhea is not painful. I lose appetite and as a result i lost 2 kgs in two weeks. On the 21st day I started having night sweats (with air conditioning) with back soreness but no fever or swollen lymph nodes and I am having trouble sleeping. I am worried and scared. Now im on my 22nd day of PEP. Does this indicate that I already caught hiv? How effective is PEP in preventing hiv? Please help.
Hi Thando, no this is not a sign of HIV. The flu is common and can cause leg pain. As you have had a course of PEP it makes HIV a very unlikely cause for your symptoms.
For more information please see here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Hi, i have stopped pep about a week ago, now I have joint pains on the leg and flu. Could this be a sign of hiv, i tested negative after pep.
Hey Josh! Thank you for your reply. I haven’t gone back to the health care as I have been waiting for the 4 weeks. The started disappearing on the same day and now I can see just a few of them. It’s the only thing I have experienced so far.
Hi Ann, after PEP you can test as early as 4 weeks from the last dose of PEP using a 4th generation test. This result will be 95% accurate. You can then confirm the result with the same type of test 2 weeks later which will give a conclusive result.
Testing beforehand is not going to give reliable results.
Have you had these rashes looked at by a healthcare provider?
Hi. I finished my pep2 weeks a goand now I have seen some rashes on the upper side of my hand. Can I test myself now? I’m stressed up.
Hi Nosipho, what is your question?