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 Erick, no there is no interaction between TLD and Septrin.
Hi Josh, I took TLD and septrine at the same time,, this can cause interaction?
Hi Peter, developing a fever and flu-like symptoms is not side effects. Are you sure it’s not the flu? Being on PEP will not prevent other common infections like the cold or covid.
Side effects more commonly occur soon after starting treatment rather than 2 weeks after.
Hi Josh, I have been on pep/TLD for 2 weeks. I started pep 50hours post exposure. Initially, I had no single side effect until 2 weeks down the course. I developed fevers, flu like symptoms though mild, fatigue, muscle and body pains, dizziness, headaches and GI disturbances. Can these side effects showup 2 weeks after starting PEP?
Hi Simon, no this is not a sign you have HIV. As with an changes in skin please speak to your doctor.
For more information about PEP please see here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
Hi ,on 26th December 2023.I had sex with my girlfriend and on 27th she said she’s HIV positive.The sex was without a condom so I went to the clinic and was placed on PEP.Been on PEP for two weeks now but my body severely itches. Is that a sign that I caught the virus?
Hi Sands, did you experience these side effects for the duration of the course of PEP? and what is the name of the treatment you were using as PEP?
Experiencing symptoms so soon after exposure is not a sign of serocovenrsion. Given the timing they are potential side effects of PEP.
Have you been to see your doctor about any of these symptoms?
It is good to hear that you are getting better. There are a so many causes of the symptoms you have mentioned, but as you started experiencing symptoms so soon and have been on a course of PEP, it makes HIV a very unlikely cause.
Hi Josh I’m a High blood pressure patient and condom burst while having sex with a new partner 13 hrs later I started Pep,from day 2 I had neasea,sour taste in mouth ,upset tummy and headache,even after finishing course I still had upset tummy and sour taste in mouth,7 days later dizziness and felt weak on my whole left side and burning ear on my left side…..today marks 2 weeks after and the same symptoms though getting better ? What does this mean?
Hi Travis, as with all skin changes please have this checked by a doctor. Symptoms of seroconversion would not be expected while on PEP. PEP delayes these symptoms even if it fails. This suggests that your current symptoms are not caused by HIV.
For more information about testing and transmission please see here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Hi Josh, I started pep on the 2nd of December 2023 after a possible exposure to HIV and during the period of taking pep I developed a rash on my hands, feet, trunk and face and also I developed a swollen lymph node in my neck and also a sore throat and 7 days before finishing pep I developed flu like symptoms.
So now I have 5 days since finishing pep I still have rash, swollen lymph nodes and flu like symptoms. Could this be signs of HIV?