Question
Are cold symptoms a side effect of PEP?
8 December 2022. Related: All topics, PEP/PEPSE, Side effects.
Hello,
I was holidaying in Thailand, my condom broke just after 1 min while having anal sex with CSW (Lady Boy in Thailand). Another person is unsure about their HIV status. I started PEP within 48 hrs after exposure. I am on 12th Day of PEP.
From Day 6 I started having bad sore throat and Day 9 got terrible cough as well. I started taking medicines to subside sore throat and cough, felling little better now. I got no fever and rash on body.
Is it a side effect of PEP. I am on Kocitaf ( 50mg Dolutegravir , 200mg Emtricitabine , 25mg Tenofovir alafemanide fumarate )
Answer
Hi, how are you doing?
What you have described is more likely caused by an infection e.g., cold or flu. These are not common side effects of PEP which are explained here.
I am sorry but it is not clear. Do you have a rash over your body? If you do this is a potential side effect and you should speak to a doctor about it.
Josh.
Hi Alibah, thanks, this link has info related to PEP that will help:
https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
Hi, I’m on pep for the 15th day, but because of anxiety, sore throat from day 9, joint pains and fever, I self tested and the determine strip reacted, have not gone for confirmation yet waiting to finish up pep, does it mean pep failed? I’m seriously depressed , thanxxx