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 Vincent, signs of seroconversion are very non-specific. As you had started PEP within 16 hours and completed the course it makes the risk of HIV in this case very low.
These symptoms, even though they can be serocovnersion, is much more likely the flu or covid. Being on PEP will not protect you from other more common infections. If these symptoms are ongoing please speak with your doctor.
For more information about testing and transmission please see here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Hey Josh! My name is Vincent, I need help. I was introduced to pep 16hrs after exposure. I finished the course one month a go. After two weeks, I developed some rashes on my left arm, but they started disappearing after a few hours. While I was on PEP, I developed nasal congestion and joint pain, which never ended even after finishing my pep.
For sure I know I have the virus, I’m waiting for a total of 6 weeks to test. My worry is I have been having muscle and joint aches and nasal congestion. Sometimes I feel dizziness. I was never late for PEP. How long does seroconversion last? I’ve been in a lot of pain, please help.
Hi Erick, no this is not seroconversion. Symptoms of HIV would not be seen so early after stopping PEP.
As with any skin changes it would be recommended to go and see your doctor.
For information about testing and transmission please see here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
I finished pep 3 days ago but I have high fever since the last day of pep, and I see one rash appear red but not itchy in my arm under a showder! What does it means? Is it seroconversion to hiv or?
Hi Jaan, no this is not a sign of seroconversion.
For more information please see here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Are pimples in chest a sign of seroconvertion?
Hi Ken, no these rashes are not a sign of infection. As you had been on PEP and taken the doses correctly your risk of HIV is very low.
The symptoms you experienced so early after starting PEP are too soon to be a sign of HIV. PEP does not prevent other common infections like the flu or covid. Both of these can cause the symptoms you have mentioned.
Please see here for more information: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Hi all! I’m Ken. I have a concern. I finished Pep about a month ago. I haven’t tested yet as I have been waiting for 6 weeks. One week into the pep course, I developed a cold with nasal congestion, tiredness, and joint and muscle aches. These effects last even after finishing the course. Two weeks after the course, I developed rashes on my arm. I didn’t have a fever, the rashes disappeared and later reappeared on the other arm. This has been stressing me a lot. I still have one week remaining to test. Can the rash be an indicator of the infection? I never missed a dose and took the doses correctly.
Hi Jason, swollen lymph nodes are very common. They can swell for a number of reasons.
As you have completed a course of PEP and these are your only symptoms, HIV is not a very likely cause for these swellings. Other common infections like a cold or COVID can cause this, or in your case the most likely reason is stress.
If the area under your arm feels like fat and is not tender, it is most likely fat. Lymph nodes in the axilla would be felt and likely pain when touching them.
Your doctor is right for when you can test. At 6 weeks after PEP using a 4th generation test your result will be conclusive.
More information about PEP can be found here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
I finished pep 8 days ago, since then I have started feeling better, more energy probably due to eating more. But I have a swollen lymph node at top side of jaw my line just under ear, had poked it before a few times when checking myself, was painful for 2 days almost reduced completely on day 3. Other than that I have discovered fat just under both my armpits next to chest, could this be mistaken for fat but be swollen auxiliary lymph nodes? It is very soft and feels like breast fat. My doctor told me to do conclusive blood tests at 6 weeks after possible exposure even though I was on pep, so that is 2 weeks after finishing pep. Am very concerned and stressed.