Question
Am I experiencing side effects 3 weeks after PEP?
12 July 2022. Related: All topics, PEP/PEPSE.
I had sex with a random person and the condom broke few minutes before I came. I pulled out when I was about to cum. I told this person to do her HIV test and she did 2 tests with a home test kit and the 2 results were different, one negative and the other positive from the picture she sent me.
Immediately I saw this I called a helpline concerning HIV and PEP. I was advised to go to the nearest pharmacy to get PEP which I started within 36 – 48 hours after exposure which was on the 7th May 2022.
It’s being 4 weeks post pep now. On the 3rd week after PEP. I developed prickling feelings all over my body, my back, chest, legs, hands and face. Now on the 5th week. Because of this I did an home test for HIV which both were negative, but I still wasn’t convinced due to these prickling feeling all over my body after PEP. I went googling one morning and googled all day and immediately I developed a bitter taste in my mouth and loss of appetite which is resolving itself now. And I also had a little cut on my finger nails from cutting my nails and has refused to heal after days it happened.
I don’t know if this is the side effect of the medication or not . Or if this may be symptoms of seroconversion. The PEP medication I use was Acriptega.
Answer
Hi, how are you doing?
After 3 weeks it is not likely that your symptoms are being caused by PEP. The half life of Acriptega is not long enough to remain in your body without a side effect until 3 weeks – you would have experienced this during your course of PEP.
Your symptoms are not suggestive of seroconversion. Tingling can be caused by a number of things – it can even be normal. Have you been able to speak to a doctor about these symptoms?
It is possible that theses are being caused by stress.
Testing negative twice and using a suitable combination for PEP within 72 hours means seroconversion is not likely. Do you know the type of test? Was it a 3rd or 4th generation test?
Josh.
Hi Nur, a sore throat and swollen lymph nodes is a common symptom of many infections. As you had been on PEP it means HIV is a very unlikely cause.
Did you speak to anyone about the rash that appeared? and how long did it last for?
At 4 weeks you can use a 4th generation test and this will give a result that is 95% accurate. If you are concerned doing this can help relieve anxiety. Then a follow-up test 2 weeks later would confirm the result.
Testing and transmission: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
I developed rashes a week after PEP, then later developed sore throat and lymph nodes on my jaw and also in my armpit 4 weeks after PEP
Hi Mutaawe, no there is no risk of transmission.
For more information please see here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Hey! I had s*x with a massage parlor lady.
My penis touched her vagina before I put on the condom but I didn’t insert.
I put on the condom later and we had sex.
Is there any risk of exposure to HIV?
Hi John, if you are not using a 4th generation test the third generation will confirm your result 3 months after your last dose of PEP.
For more information about testing please see here: https://i-base.info/guides/testing/risks-for-transmission
Hi Josh, thanks for your reply. The doctor is the one who told me wait more 4 weeks post PEP and when I went for PEP, he tested me using a Abbott ab test strip. Probably 4generation isn’t so available in my country. When I was I so allergic to meat not so now and so I do know if not allergic reaction to Truvada or seroconversion,what else it could be? I have been so keeping home since but always stressed and worried.. keeps checking my body for any symptoms and any thing unhealthy worries me so much. I am always praying for God mercy
Hi John, as you experiencing this after completing Truvada this is not an allergic reaction to the medication. These symptoms are also not suggestive of seronconversion. Have you mentioned these symptoms to your doctor? and/or do you have any other idea that could have caused this other than HIV/Truvada?
You can do a test now you do not need to wait. You can use a 4th generation antigen/antibody test. This will give a conclusive result.
Hello, am John..got exposed to HIV 45days ago and only managed to get Truvada only as PEP within 48hrs of exposure. 2 weeks now post PEP and I feel weak in the legs (when I walk a short distance) feeling prickling partly(like not so often and not at the same point, sometimes on my arm,legs and chest but not so severe). No rashes,no sore throat or mouth,not swollen lymph nodes). I am so worried and still need to wait more two week to go a test. My question is, could this be allergic reaction to Truvada or seroconversion?
Dear Pascal, you would not be prescribed PEP in the UK because there is no risk of HIV. The doctor should have told you this.
Pls see this link for info on PEP:
https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
Pls see links on this post to learn about HIV and risk:
https://i-base.info/qa/11844
I had a sex with a woman I don’t know her status but we use condom to have the sex and after the sex I remove the condom from my penis and I mistakenly hold the cold with tissue in my hand and I took shower while the tissue with the condom is in my hand , I use one hand to take shower but I mistakenly use the hand to watch my penis , so after the shower I start feeling somehow in my peins I went to doctor and she told me that my case is low risk but I was afraid and I started pep within 70 hours but within 13 days of started pep numbness pains all over my body for all of a sudden , feet and have too am so worried