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.
Hello there
What’s the risk of getting infected by HIV through sharp needle prick that has been used by an HIV positive person who happens not to be on HART
Hi Sanele, no the virus will not be transmitted to your girlfriend. While on PEP there is either no risk of HIV, or PEP will suppress HIV so much that it cannot be passed on to your partner.
It is still recommended that you only have sex with a condom (or abstain) until you can confirm your HIV status. Even though being on PEP will prevent the risk of transmission, using a condom is still suggested due to other potential STIs.
More information about PEP can be found here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
Hi Gerald, while you are on PEP and before you can test to confirm you status it is recommended to use a condom. This is because you are unsure of your own status and having sex without a condom can be a potential risk.
More information about testing and transmission can be found here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Hello,
I have been taking pep for 23 days after an exposure to someone of unknown status and i was wondering if i can have unprotected sex with my partner who is hiv negative
Hi Joy, unfortunately as PEP was started more than 72 hours after the exposure it is not going to have any impact. Starting 12 hours after exposure is too late for PEP to work and there is a chance it will delay testing.
Was starting PEP a recommendation by your friends doctor?
More information about PEP can be found here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
Hi, my friend had unprotected sex with man that is HIV positive without knowing that his positive it was after 12 days that she find out that man was positive, she went to a test and it was negative then she started her PEP. Please will pep start prevent her from being affected?
Hi Zizora, yes PEP will still help. While on PEP you are protected from further exposures and you do not need to extend the course of your treatment.
As long as you have 2 days remaining of your course of PEP from the last exposure, you can stop treatment when originally expected.
More information about PEP can be found here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
The first day I had unprotected sex with my girlfriend so next day I took her for check up and confirmed her positive and I was negative that evening I went and got peps after like two days I again had unprotected sex while taking pep Incase if this second girl is also effected can the pep still help me since am still taking them up to 28 days
Hi Lucas, PEP will still be effective. As you are already on the course of PEP you will be protected from this second exposure. You can continue your course of PEP as normal and complete it when originally planned.
More information about PEP can be found here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
Hi there, i‘m on the second day of using pep because i had unprotected sex and started after 50h taking pep, but before taking pep i did the test and i resulted negative, on the 2nd day i had unprotected sex accidentally, does taking pep protects me still? Or is a bad thing?