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 Nixon, unfortunately these results are not conclusive. After PEP the earliest you can confirm your status is 6 weeks after the last dose of PEP using a 4th generation antigen/antibody test.
It is encouraging that you have tested negative already but a follow up test will be required.
No. The symptoms you are experiencing are not suggestive of HIV seroconversion. The signs of HIV are very non-specific. Given that you have completed a course of PEP and had a negative test result, it makes your current symptoms very unlikely to be the result of HIV. It would be much more likely to be a stomach flu or other common infection. If the symptoms continue please see a doctor.
For more information about testing and transmission please see here: https://i-base.info/guides/testing
Hey Am Nixon
I had unprotected sex on 1st January and on 4th January with the same woman then we tasted on 5th January the results came positive for hers then I started PEP on 5th January, I took them correctly for 30 days then I finished PEP on 3rd February then I tested negative….on 26th February again negative…is this results conclusive??. .I used 1/2 test kits antigen and Antibody test… Second Question today it’s on 12th march I feel stomach problem, headache and loss of body energy especially on the legs so are this signs of HIV ?..
Hi Harry, no this is not a sign of seroconversion.
Please see here for more information about testing and transmission: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Hi this is Harry, received oral followed by protected vaginal sex. I was on pep which finished after 5 days of second exposure. In first exposure source tested negative.
Post pep i notice few maculopapular lesion on my chest.
Is this a sign of seroconversion
Hi Sean, as you had taken PrEP properly and you had used a condom there is no risk of transmission.
Yes PEP does delay HIV symptoms however there was no risk from your first exposure. After PEP, the earliest you can test is 6 weeks after the last dose of PEP using a 4th generation antigen/antibody test.
More information about testing and transmission can be found here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Hello I am Sean, I would appreciate for the answers. This is my case! I had a sexual activities with someone who had HIV. This first time he tried to insert his brother into my anus but i did not allow, however, I was not sure if the tip was in but he did not ejaculated at all. I then had sex with him using condom and took prep properly. My first question is, is there a high chance of getting HIV from him?
Naughty, I met a new guy 10 days after the one i mentioned. I accidentally had sex without condom but i went to the clinic and was prescribed to start PEP after 7 hours of condomless with him. So far, it has been 42 days from the second exposure and 52 days after the first exposure. I got blood test on day 43 (counted from the first exposure and day 33 after the second one). My second question is if i did get HIV from the first exposure, would i test positive just a few days after finishing PEP? Does PEP delay HIV symptoms and hide HIV detection? Thank you so much…
Hi David, no these are not signs of HIV. Symptoms of HIV occur later than 5 days after exposure and would not be experienced while on PEP.
If these symptoms persist please speak with your doctor as there can be other infections that have caused the symptoms you have mentioned.
More information about testing and transmission can be found here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Hello, this is david a 19 yo male i had unprotected sex with an hiv person who is probably not on any treatment. It happened on the 21 jan at 3.30am and i satarted PEP on 21 jan at 13:36pm moving forward to the 26 jan i felt a burning sensation at the top of the urethra and i developed a swollen breast, are these symptoms of hiv and what are my chances of getting hiv ?
Hi Lee, PEP is safe when started within 72 hours of an exposure.
More information about PEP can be found here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
If i start PEP after 60 hrs am i still safe