Question
I tested positive after PEP…
10 February 2023. Related: Adherence, All topics, HIV transmission, Newly diagnosed, PEP/PEPSE.
Hi, I was exposed in Nov and that very same day after 16 hours I went to clinic for PEP. I started them immediately for 28 days. Sometimes I could miss them for a few hours but I finished them. Then the following month on the 5th I was supposed to get a test but I couldn’t, I went to test after 10 weeks I tested positive – how could this happen when I took them?
Answer
Hi, how are you doing?
I am sorry that you have recently tested positive. How are you coping?
There are three possible ways to explain these results.
The first is that, without realising it, you were already HIV positive before you started PEP. Did the clinic test you before they gave you PEP? If this was with a 3rd generation fingerprick test, you could have been in the window period when the test would not be accurate.
A second reason might be that you were just very unlucky and PEP didn’t work in this case. As you started PEP so early though, the first reason might be more likely.
The third possibility might be that the recent result was a false-positive. Did the clinic send a second blood sample to be checked at a laboratory? If not, they should do this now to confirm that you are HIV positive.
Have you started treatment yet?
Josh.
Hi Biswajit, after PEP you need to wait 6 weeks to test. You will need to use a 4th generation antigen/antibody test. This result will be conclusive.
After pep instantly test or complete pep date to 5week negetive 10week positive, please clarify,,?
I am in same situation now it’s my 6week so plz reply
Hi Biswajit, do you mean you have tested positive after 10 weeks? What was the type of test you used?
Your fast test was 5week negetive then 10 week positive plz reply