Question
How does PEP work?
14 August 2022. Related: All topics.
Hello I started my PEP 25 hours after exposure which means that the virus had time to enter my lymph nodes if I’m not wrong. So I was wondering if PEP actually kills the infected cells before the 28 days?
I was the top for anal sex with a person who didn’t know her status before we had sex.
Answer
Hi, how are you doing?
HIV does not often reach the lymph nodes and cause lymphadenopathy for the first few days. These symptoms are most commonly seen from day 14-18 and HIV can enter the lymph nodes from ~2-3 days. This is why PEP is recommended to be used within 72 (and sometimes 48) hours.
PEP works by preventing HIV replicating. For HIV to survive in the body it needs to replicate within cells and move to other cells. This is how HIV would eventually lead to the lymph node and spread throughout the body. PEP prevents this and means that the bodies natural way of killing infected cells can work before HIV spreads.
This is why PEP works.
Josh.
Hi Christopher, have you done a confirmatory HIV test? Please see here for more information: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Hello my viral load results came back and it says I have 48 copies/ml. And I’m ever more worried does this means I have hiv 76 days after exposure ? Please help
Hi Christopher, what test did you use?
Exactly 40 days after I completed my pep course
Hi Christopher, how long did you use this antibody/antigen test after your potential exposure?
More information about testing can be found here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Hello sir I used an antibody/antigen test wich came up negative, but I’m expecting results for tomorrow my hiv arn viral load test maybe this will give me some closure
Hi Christopher, diarrhoea is not an early sign of infection. What test did you use?
Hello I’ve finished my pep 35 days now, I tested negative after pep and a month after pep but I’m feeling like diarrhea and I’m afraid it might be the first symptoms. And I’m wondering if that acriptega did work because I hade no side effects while taking it
Hi Christopher – thanks – I am sure things will be okay.
Thank you very much I kind of feel relieved,
I’ll come back when I finish my pep