Question
Is PEP effective if started 62 hours after exposure?
15 January 2023. Related: All topics, PEP/PEPSE.
I had unprotected sex on Jan 1 2023 and don’t know the HIV status of the partner. I took PEP after 62 hours of exposure and after 4 days I had itchy small rashes appear on my legs and with lotion now it’s been resolved. Now I a have sore throat without any fever or swollen lymph nodes.
Now it’s been 11 days on PEP, how likely is it that the PEP has been effective on me as I took it too late? Could you please tell me if the sore throat is due to common cold or HIV symptoms?
1st day after exposure I consulted a doctor who took a blood sample and urine sample for test and also did an ultrascan on my bladder – he assured me I don’t have any infection.
Answer
Hi, how are you?
While often recommended to start PEP within 48 hours, it is still effective to be taken if started within 72 hours – which you have done. This means PEP can still be effective in your case. You did not start it too late.
PEP delays any symptoms of HIV until after the course finishes. This means that your sore throat is not caused by HIV. As you have mentioned, it is more likely caused by a common cold.
Josh.
Hi Joy, there is no risk of transmission. Are you on treatment? If you are and have an undetectable viral load there is no risk of transmission.
This is explained by U=U. This stands for someone who is undetectable is also untransmissable. HIV is so low in the body that even having sex without a condom, HIV cannot be passed on. As you are undetectable your parter does not need to be on PEP.
U=U: https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/
I am HIV positive and I am undetectable and I have sex yesterday and the guy hasn’t gotten pep but he will get it tomorrow. Is it possible for he to contact it from me?
Hi Rob – the test shows you are HIV negative.
Hello, I have a question I had a risky exposure to HIV about 9 weeks ago. I went on pep at the 62H mark I would have done it sooner but everything was closed due to new years and all.. anyways I finished my course of pep. at the 5 week mark I did a blood test it came back negative. now at 9th week mark i’ve been very stressed out ith everything and developed a rash on my arms, body, back and head Now I think I am hiv positive due to the symptom. the rash is light pink and all over my chest,arms,back and some parts of my face, slightly raised spots some not. is this Hiv or do you think this could be due to stress and possibly a reaction to taking lorazepam ?
Hi Bongani, have you been to see a doctor about this? As you finished PEP a while back you will now be able to test for HIV. This will help rule out HIV as a cause for your symptoms. In general the early signs of HIV seroconversion do not last and is more similar to a cold/flu. For this reason it is unlikely that your current pain is caused by HIV.
Hi. I did sex with a condom and the condom broke I continue about 5mints without notice. If was on the 17 of December 2022 then I went to the hospital after 5hrs and they gave me pep to use I did not feel any side effect till I finished the corse after finishing I started to feel sick my sore throet. Tunsels. Neck was paining. Since that day it’s still pain am now in. 76 days of expoture the throat has just Como doing. Pls advice what can be this that affecting me like. Themba
Hi Bosskilla, why do you think the med tech did not use a new/sterilised needle? After 4 days PEP is not seen to be effective. It is more likely that a safe and hygienic technique was used by the med tech. This would not be considered a significant risk for HIV.
I started pep after 4 days of possible exposure.. i take pep because when i go to a diagnostic in phillipines im not sure if the med tech use a brand new needle in getting blood sample from me
(Venipuncture needle)
Hi Tonny, while taking PEP it is unlikely for HIV symptoms to be present. PEP suppresses HIV and even if failed, HIV symptoms would be delayed until after you have finished your course of PEP. All the symptoms you have mentioned are very non-specific and not suggestive of HIV. It is much more common that these have been cause by other infections e.g., the cold or flu.
Hi Josh
I have been writing a lot to you lately and I think something is wrong because I can’t get to see your response or if my comment went thru.
Is it possible for HIV acute symptoms to show in different times. 2 weeks on Pep I had flue with coughing and runny nose and 2 days after I had diarrhea. On week 3 while on Pep I developed lymph nodes, soar throat and getting tired. Today I am finishing Pep and I feel like I am developing rash in my forehead. Lymph nodes are gone, flue and soar throat are gone. Diarrhea is still there…. Do you think pep failed? and I only went for a test on 23 day while on Pep which was negative at a time