Question
Can I assume my symptoms while on PEP are seroconversion?
23 May 2022. Related: All topics, HIV testing, HIV transmission, PEP/PEPSE.
Hi, I’ve taken PEP due to the fact our condoms broke. I didn’t know the status of the lady. I took the Ranega (TLD) as PEP, after a week after I finished PEP I had flu and sore throat. Now we are in the 4th week and my body is itching and I can start seeing a rash.
Can I assume this is a seroconversion status? I haven’t taken any test yet because I’m waiting for a total of 6 weeks then I can go do a test.
Answer
Hi, how are you doing?
No. This is not likely seroconversion. These are too few and too general symptoms to be considered seroconversion.
The flu and the sore throat are common. Regardless of being on PEP it does not stop the flu being common. Do you still have these symptoms?
It is possible that this rash is a side effect of Ranega. Have you spoken to a doctor about this? A rash should be seen by a doctor from when you notice it.
Have you been able to speak to your partner about their status? There are a number of factors other than the use of a condom that can alter the risk of a transmission.
You are right that a test is conclusive after 6 weeks after PEP. But you can take a test at 4 weeks to help with stress. This test will be 95% accurate and the test at 6 weeks will be conclusive. This is a guide about dealing with test anxiety.Â
Josh.
Had oral with too much saliva rubbed with finger on penis tip and fearfully got TLD for 30 day pep. Now 14 days after the pep 6 weeks after believed exposure, typhoid O 1/160… Pain on left big toe joint. 2 weeks into pep, got nodded on face where I just broke a pimple by a person feared to be positive cos of developed glands on his neck. Tested -ve today to HIV about 2 weeks post pep and3+ve to typhoid. Will alay some worries on some slight neuropathies just now. No sex
Hi Iyaji, this does not mean that PEP has not worked. These are not signs of HIV seroconversion.
NOW I A M HAVING RED LIKE SWOLLEN AT THE BACK OF MY TONGUE AND DRY MOUTH SCRACH ON THE BACK OF MY HANDS WHY NO ANY OTHER SYMPTOM IM ON 25TH DOSE OF MY PEP IS THIS MEANS THE PEP DOESN’T WORK ?
Hi Iyaji, taking PEP does not guarantee prevention. Do you know if this person was on treatment? It is great that you started PEP so soon after exposure – this will greatly increase how effective PEP is. More information on PEP: https://i-base.info/guides/testing/pep-and-pepse
I HAD A NEEDLE PRICK FROM HIV POSITIVE PERSON AND I STARTED PEP 36 HOURS AFTER CAN I STILL BE INFECTED?
Hi Dylan, these symptoms are not suggestive of seroconversion. A fever and sore throat can be caused by a number of infections. As you are taking PEP it is unlikely to be HIV – seroconversion is delayed while taking PEP (if it fails which is uncommon). This means seroconversion symptoms would not be present until after the course finishes.
It is impossible to for HIV and chlamydia to be transmitted from the same person at the same time. It is impossible to say the specific chance as each event is influenced by risk factors present at the time of exposure. These can either increase or decrease the risk of exposure. Please follow this link for more information: https://i-base.info/guides/testing/risks-for-transmission
Hello Josh. I had sex with a stripper about 3 and a half weeks ago and I started PEP after 30 hours. I got tested positive for chlamydia a few days ago but still take the PEP to finish the cycle. I’am also taking doxycycline for the chlamydia. I started recently to have small fever and sore throat. Is there a risk of serovonversion? How likely it is to have both HIV and Chlamydia from the same person after 1 exposure?
Hi Burg, apologies for the confusion. I will look into this. Testing windows are different for the types of test you take and sometimes guidelines can change.
A 4th generation (which you have used) is conclusive from 6 weeks. This is because the test can identify early and late signs of HIV infection. 6 weeks is optimal for at least one identifier to be seen and from this point onwards, there would be the presence of infection for confirmation.
90 days is usually the cut off for antibody only tests. This is because the body can take time to respond to infection and 90 days is required to allow time for the body to generate these.
Hi Josh and members,
As you told me, I did the same test (antibody hiv1/2 + ag p24) 43 days after finishing PEP. The test result was negative, but in the link you show above, it talks about testing again after 90 days if you have tested in the first 4 weeks.
Im a little confused. Is it enough my test at 43 days post-PEP?
Thanks for your help.
Hi Brug, this is a good sign and is ~95% accurate. To be completely sure you will need to do this same test again at 6 weeks post PEP.
Please follow this link for more information: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing