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 Josh, this guideline only suggests to get 4th generation test at 6 weeks after PEP, which I did. In fact, I got tested on day 47th after PEP with a negative 4th generation test. But on day 53rd onwards I’m having sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, fever, body ache and night sweats. So, can you please suggest as per your own knowledge and experience if it is at all possible that these symptoms could be HIV related even after negative 4th generation on day 47th after PEP? Should I go for HIV testing again?
Hi David, please see this link for information about PEP.
i-base.info/pep-and-prep
As you were not at risk, a doctor would not recommend PEP in the UK.
Hi Josh
I had oral exposure given fellito to un known hiv person
Started pep tenofovir emtricitabine efavirenz
Tested hiv Nucleic acid test 12th day of exposure – Negative
Drop pep 20th day due to side effects
Post pep 1 week 2 week 3 week 4 week Tested with Hiv rapid finger prick test p24 antigen and anybody – Negative
Pls tell me how safe iam
Hi Josh
I got oral exposure I given fellito to male with in 13 hours I had started tenofovir emtricitabine efavirenz
Tested Hiv Nucleic acid test 12th day of exposure – negative
Discontinued pep on 20th. Day due to side effects
Post 4 weeks pep tested with hiv rapid finger prick test 4th generation (p24 & antibodies) – Negative
So pls tell me how accurate is hiv rapid kit p24 antigen
Dear KK, this link has everything you need to know about testing after PEP:
i-base.info/pep-and-prep/
Hi Josh, I had an exposure on 28th September 2022 and I started PEP before 52 hours of exposure. I completed my PEP on 29th October 2022. After this, I tested negative in the 4th generation HIV lab tests on days 35th, 42nd and 47th after completing PEP. Today is day 53rd after PEP and I have sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, fever, body-ache and had night-sweats last night. So, my concern is whether or not there’s even a slight possibility of these symptoms being related to HIV? Should I again go for HIV testing? Or at this point of time, it’s not at all possible to have these symptoms related to HIV, considering the fact that I did not have any further exposure of any sort after my last exposure on 28th September 2022?
Please advise whether or not I need to test again for HIV?
Hi Cam, please see the answer to this original question:
i-base.info/qa/18871
Ive been taking pep for 15 days now and started within 16 hours. 3 Days ago I started having bumps in my throat and white streaks (I tested negative for strep throat, flu and covid) I also feel like I have to vomit every time after I eat and it comes along with diarrhea (Started 6 days ago) Could this be HIV or is it not possible because of the pep to get these symptoms right now. Does pep delay his symptoms?
Hi Te – information about the timing of tests after PEP is at this link:
https://i-base.info/pep-and-prep/
HI, JOSH i test negative at 28 day on duo test but i still on PEP . I also show some simalr symtoms during PEP such as sore thorat but i test negative in duo test at 28th day .I will test again on 42th day but is there chance that my result will change .