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 Harrison, as these symptoms started while you were on PEP it makes HIV be a very unlikely cause. AS you had started PEP so soon and these symptoms started while on the course, HIV is not a significant risk.
As with any changes to your skin you should have it checked by a doctor. What was the name of the PEP you were taking?
For more information about PEP please see here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
I finished pep four days ago but at the last week of using pep l had some hot rash my skin on legs too, abnormal dreams,some sore throat,can it be a sign of hiv
Hi Martin, did the amoxicillin help when you started it? and did you complete the course?
Amoxicillin is usually given as a first line antibiotic for a chest infection which would could have caused your breathing problems. Why were you given the cetirzine and loaratadine to take alongside it? have you had problems with penicillin based treatments before? As amoxicillin is a treatment for a bacterial infection, it would be separate from HIV and not suggestive of seroconversion.
PEP does not prevent other common infections that can also cause similar symptoms e.g., flu or covid. Have you been back to see the doctor as your symptoms have not cleared? You can be tested for other infections in the meantime that can cause similar presentations.
As you have been on a course of PEP it makes HIV seroconversion very unlikely. Are you able to access a 4th generation antigen/antibody test? These tests are conclusive from 6 weeks after the last dose of PEP instead of 12 weeks.
Hello, Please I need help!
I finished my pep on 28th November. Two weeks after pep, I developed difficulties in breathing, I had to take Cetrizin, loratadine and amoxycillin at the same time. After a few minutes, I developed rashes on one of my arms. I never had fever.
After one week, I had servere muscle and joint pains which resolved a few weeks a go. I still have nasal congestion, this started barely one week after I was introduces to pep.
Kindly help me, I’m still waiting for a total of 3 months to know my status. I have never had peace since I developed those rashes. Did I seroconvert?
Hi Paul, symptoms this early are not suggestive of HIV. Signs of seroconversion would be expected closer to 2 weeks after exposure. As you are on PEP this would be delayed until after you have finished treatment. Even if PEP fails (which is rare), HIV symptoms would not occur until after the course ends.
PEP does not protect you from other common infections like strep throat or the flu. Either of these are much more likely causes of your sore through. Please speak to your doctor if these symptoms continue.
See here for more information about PEP: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
Hello. I’m on the 7h day of pep and I have fever and sore throat. Is there a need to worry?
And the fever and sore throat started on the 5th day. Sometimes it subsides and other times it gets worse. What do I do please?
Hi Simon, as your partner is on treatment with a viral load of 20 there is no risk of transmission. It would have been impossible for them to pass on HIV.
This is called U=U: https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/
For this reason, you did not need to be on PEP. This means that your current symptoms are not related to HIV or your course of treatment. PEP does not protect you from other common infections like the flu or covid which can also cause these symptoms. If you continue to feel unwell please speak with your doctor for further investigations and treatment.
I’m taking PEP for the last day tomorrow but today I have sever dried cough,severe body aches.But she claimed her viral load is 20 and she has been on treatment.Does mean I now have the virus ?
Hi Kumar, your results are conclusive and you do not have HIV. After 42 days a 4th generation test will give an accurate result and confirm your status. Your deranged blood results are not the result of an HIV infection. Your doctor was right in that this was not a risk for transmission and PEP was not needed.
More information about transmission can be found here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Where did you get this test done? and have the results been discussed with you?
A rise in neutrophils is not an uncommon sign when exposed to any bacterial/viral infection. This will also cause a decrease in lymphocytes which gives rise to an apparent decrease in the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and is normal. Have you been tested for any other infections? how are you feeling now?
I am started pep because one person is fight on my mouth then my blood is come and contact it from infected person but many of the doctor says that it is not a transmission root.
So during pep I have start bodyache After 14 days then end of the pep dose I got test of cbc then my wbc is high and neutrophil is high and lymphocytes is low.
I think it is a sign of hiv.but at 2month I go for 4th generation test is negative.