Q and A

Question

Am I at risk of further exposure if I am on PEP?

My man is positive and I am negative, I was exposed so I was given Volutrip from the clinic. Now I want to know if we have unprotected sex I’ll be infected while taking them?

Answer

Hi, how are you doing?

No. While taking Volutrip it will also act as PrEP. This means Volutrip will work to prevent further exposures even while having sex without a condom.

When your course of Volutrip ends, are you able to access PrEP? When not used as PEP it is a different combination with fewer drugs. It would prevent the need to use PEP in the future.

Is your partner on HIV treatment? If so and they have a viral load below 200, there is no risk of transmission. There is also no risk if you are using a condom.

Please see the link for more information about PrEP:
https://i-base.info/guides/prep

Please see this link for more information about PEP:
https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq

Josh.

4 comments

  1. Josh Peasegood

    Hi Steven, this would not be considered high risk and so PEP is not required.

  2. Steven

    I had unprotected sex with a woman who’s HIV status is unknown. She isn’t from a ‘high risk area’ – although she told me she had unprotected sex with a man one month prior, and he is from a ‘high risk’ country.

    It was PiV sex, no ejaculation. I have ordered tests. Should I request PEP?

    Thanks

  3. Josh Peasegood

    Hi William, when an exposure is low risk, your doctor was right to say that PEP is not needed. This is because the risk of side effects is more than the risk of potentially getting HIV.

    The Sureteste self-test kit can be used 90 days after exposure. OR 90 days after the last dose of PEP if you are using this.

  4. William

    Hi,
    Had a recent exposure of condom break,though I stopped immediately. We tested for HIV with blood self-test kit.Went to get pep but medic recommended risk exposure is low,
    Should I still get pep?what’s window for the Sure HIV Suretest Self-Test Kit?