Question

Can PrEP be used as PEP?

6 February 2022. Related: All topics, HIV transmission, Newly diagnosed, PEP/PEPSE, PrEP.

I had sex with my girlfriend and I took her to the lab, I found out her HIV status was reactive, she is HIV positive. So I was placed on PrEP immediately. Will I still contact HIV after taking the PrEP?

Answer

Answer: Josh Peasegood

Hi, how are both you are your girlfriend doing?

PrEP isn’t used after an exposure. PrEP  is not a combination used for PEP. It does contain some of the same medication but PEP uses a combination of 3 drugs, whereas PrEP only contains 2: emtricitabine and tenofovir (usually).

Please follow this link for the differences of PrEP and PEP.

Did you use a condom with your girlfriend? If you did there is no risk of transmission. Transmission is also very rare from only one exposure. Please follow this link for more information about transmission.

It is very likely you will remain HIV negative from this exposure.

Josh.