Question
Can I have sex while on PEP?
3 January 2022. Related: All topics, HIV transmission, PEP/PEPSE, Sexual health.
I have just started PEP after a drunk one night stand with an HIV positive person. While I’m on PEP can I transmit the virus to my regular partner of 12 months?
Answer
Hi, how are you?
You can, but most people often have a break from sex while on PEP. Sex without a condom while you are unaware of your status can potentially put your partner at risk of HIV.
If your partner of 12 months is okay to use a condom there would not be a risk of transmitting HIV. Although some other STDs would not be prevented.
Josh.
Hi Lytt, no you do not need to extend the course of PEP. As you have been on PEP for these exposures PEP will act as PrEP. This means you are protected from further exposures. You can finish your course of PEP when you had originally planned.
Though this person should be testing regularly, as they are using PrEP the risk will be reduced. You do not need another/different treatment. Mylan will work well as PEP. Resistance is rare. As you are not taking active treatment for HIV you do not need to be concerned.
Hi master, I am a man and I had unprotected sex with another man. Im bottom, although I think it’s low risk as my partner continued to take out the condom, suck and wear again many times when he cant keep his penis status. This happens on Sunday evening, and I took PEP on the night of Monday (it’s about 25h after exposure)
I took it daily at a fixed scheduled time at night. Until day 6 and day 8 I had unprotected sex with another man (im still btm) as he told me he’s on prep. But when I check with his friend, I realize that he took Prep without testing HIV since 2019, he just let his friend get Prep from the doctor, as well as he always takes a dose 10 mins before having sex. He’s a call which means he had sex a lot. When I know this, I feel very confused and scared bc Im afraid of HIV resistant from him which can transmit to me and makes PEP fail.
How should I do, should I continue to take PEP or should I extend PEP 8 days more or I need some other drug? My PEP is Mylan.
Pls help me with this. Really thanks you.
Hi Joe, oral sex is considered a low risk exposure. Oral sex carries little to no risk of transmission. Saliva has antiviral properties which makes oral transmission very difficult. As your partner is on PEP (are they taking this after a risky exposure or to prevent transmission?) and explained they are negative the risk is very low. Being on PEP would suggest they look after their own sexual health and this further reduces the risk. There is no reason to take PEP after this encounter.
Hi, i recently had an encounter with an HIV negative person on PEP. Our first encounter he simply performed unprotected oral on me, with my fluids only being exchanged. On a later encounter, before things went to another level i asked if he was “clean” e.t.c, he informed me he was HIV -, but on PEP. we had protected sex following that, however, i have since become concerned of risks from the earlier unprotected oral encounter
Hi Georgia, as your partner has told you that they are HIV negative there is no reason to think otherwise. The risk in this case is very low. Please see here for more information: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Hi there. Could you please advise how high the risk in my case is?
I had an unprotected vaginal sex with a person of an unknown status (although he said he got tested and he’s clean) twice in a 10 hour slot. I didn’t think much of it at first as I trusted this person. However, next day I had an unplanned and drunken encounter with my steady partners (a couple), he was wearing a condom, but he did perform oral sex on me for about 5 mins, and then he cleaned up and performed oral sex on a girl. After this I panicked that I might’ve endangered both of them with me trusting the initial guy, and started PEP.
What are the risks for that couple to be exposed and infected from me? If sex with them happened 24h after my (potential) exposure. Thank you
Hi Maleya, as the condom only burst during ejaculation, this greatly reduces the time of exposure. As you have been on PEP since, your risk of HIV is very low. Testing after PEP is not accurate until 6 weeks after your last dose. The test will need to be a 4th generation antigen/antibody test. As your risk is very low there is no need for your parter to be on PEP.
Hi i had sex with a positive partner though I was using a condom but during my round two she was dry and the condom busted during ejaculation I started PEP before 24hrs and took them as prescribed by the doctor without missing even a day, three day later after I had finished taking PeP I tested and it was negative and on that day after testing I had unprotected sex with my long time partner, I’m I safe and is she(My long time partner)safe too? I’m worried for her please advise
Hi Isabella, there are no signs that your PEP failed. You have only had one 10 second exposure. This is already very low risk. Your encounters did not present a risk for HIV. In the UK this would be considered low risk and PEP not needed. Please follow this link for more information: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Hello, I am Isabella. I have sex with a new partner on December 9/2022, at the beginning of the intercourse he had a condom, he then removed it to put on a new one because that one felt uncomfortable, after he removed it we started kissing and he introduced his penis for about 10 seconds, I realized it and asked him to take it out and put on a new condom, which he did. He ejaculated outside of my body about 20 minutes later. I panicked, and started PEP within a period of 48 hrs. I asked him if he suffers from anything and he said not and that he gets tested every 3 months. While on pep, 13 day, I have protected intercourse with an HIV negative man ( he showed me his lab test) and then on day 20 I had protected intercourse with another man including oral sex and he ejaculated on my mouth( this man also says that he’s negative) I finished PEP did my 4 th generation and it was negative and then 9 days post pep did my p24 antigen and it was negative. Is there any risk that PEP might have failed? Thank you.