Question
I finished PEP. Now I have symptoms?
3 February 2022. Related: All topics, PEP/PEPSE, Side effects.
3 days after finishing PEP I am having stomach pain and diarrhoea.
Answer
Hi, how are you doing?
Side effects from PEP would present while taking PEP. Now that you have finished taking PEP these symptoms would not be caused by your medication.
It is also too early for this to be a sign of seroconversion. A number of things can cause stomach pain and diarrhoea. PEP and HIV are not likely in this case. If your symptoms continue/worsen it is important you seek medical help.
Josh.
Hi Ann, your current symptoms do not mean you have HIV. More so as you have taken a course of PEP it means HIV is very unlikely in your case.
Having symptoms from the start of PEP is too early to be a sign of HIV. At 37.0 C you did not have a fever. This is a normal temperature.
A few rashes on your hands is not suggestive of HIV. In your case the most likely cause is stress.
You will need to test to confirm your status. The earliest you can do so is 6 weeks after the last dose of PEP using a 4th gen test. You can test at 4 weeks but the result will only be 95% accurate and a follow up test will be required.
Testing and transmission: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Hey! I’m depressed, I don’t want to test myself. I finished my pep 3 weeks a go. I have been having a flu right from the time I started my medication, two weeks after I finished pep, a few rashes appeared and disappeared after 24hrs. My fever was 37.0 degrees centegrate. Now the rashes have reappeared on the hand, just a few of them, and they are disappearing. This has been stressing me all the times. The only thing I have been experiencing is joint aches which alseo started long when I was on medication.
I’m a fraid I have the infection with me, I do not want to test myself at all, I might kill myself when I find myself +ve. I don’t like taking drugs most of the times.
Hi Chris, PEP leaves the body within a few day. This is why you need to take it everyday to make sure there is enough in your body to work.
When did you stop PEP? and is this something you have experienced before? is your skin dry everywhere or is it certain patches?
Have you been to see the doctor about your dry skin?
What was the name of the PEP you took?
I just finished pep and my skin is so dry, and lightly red that’s it though, how long does it take for pep medicine to cycle out the body?
Hi Ken, feeling tired and having body aches are very non-specific symptoms. If you are concerned or you have been feeling like this for a while please speak with your doctor.
PEP: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
Hi, I’m Ken. I’m on my 25th day of PEP. I have been feeling tired and body aches mostly in the evening. What could these be?
HI Keenen, after 140 days any HIV test you do will be conclusive. You do not have HIV.
The symptoms you are experiencing are not caused by HIV. Have you had any different investigations by your doctors looking for other causes of your symptoms?
Hi, hope you’re good. I’m negative for HIV, that’s 140 days after exposure and 108 days after pep but I still have every symptom of HIV, including itchy skin, painful knees and diarrhoea. I’ve been to many doctors and they only telling me that my results won’t. Is it true ? Am I just worrying for nothing ?
Hi Lisa, pain in your back is not related to HIV.
Please see here for more information: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
Hi I’m on pep but a week after I got burning neck pain on both sides is been a week of the pain. No other symptoms right now just burning neck pain. I’m scared