Q and A

Question

I have a question about PEP?

I had PEP and after 2 weeks I had stomach pain and diarrhea. Is this seroconversion stage?

Answer

Hi there

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

We give this answer to all Qs about PEP because we made sure this page covers everything we get asked.

We also update this page if we do get a Q that isn’t covered there already.

20 comments

  1. Josh Peasegood

    Hi Binh, please see here for more information about transmission:
    https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing

    Oral sex is not determined high risk and you are not required to start PEP.

  2. Bình

    Hello!
    I want to ask you if a woman uses her mouth to contact the penis
    of my object (oral sex), am I the giver or the receiver? A bit confusing! and what is my risk? should pep be started?

  3. Josh Peasegood

    Hi Binh, at 29 days (4 weeks) a 4th generation ag/ab test will be 95% accurate. This is very suggestive that you are HIV negative. To have the result confirmed you will need to use the same type of test in 2 weeks.

    A 4th generation ag/ab test is only conclusive from 6 weeks after the last dose of PEP.

    More information about testing:
    https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing

  4. Bình

    Hi Josh!
    At 29 days after the last dose of PEP I had a viral load test and an ag/ad test both of which came back negative. I could see how good that test was and I could believe it. Do you believe in those tests?

  5. Josh Peasegood

    Hi Binh, after PEP, if it has failed HIV will no longer be inhibited. It will take its natural course.

    At 4 weeks after the last dose a 4th generation antigen/antibody test will be 95% accurate. For a conclusive result you will need to use this test again at 6 weeks.

  6. Bình

    Thank you josh! I’m a little wondering if after completing my PEP course, if the pep fails, will the virus still be inhibited or will it grow normally because I’m considering whether to test for RNA and ag/ad at 4 weeks after the last dose. too many thoughts in my head. I feel like I’m going crazy. I want to reduce stress even though I know I have to retest. please help me

  7. Josh Peasegood

    Hi Binh, kissing is not a risk for HIV transmission.

  8. bình

    Hi Josh!
    So I kissed that girl when I had gingivitis and where but I’m not sure if there were scratches! What are my risks in case that girl’s saliva is mixed with blood? Can you tell me the possibility? How many % am I negative in this case! Thank you, I’m very worried

  9. Josh Peasegood

    Hi Binh, this is a low to zero risk exposure. You do not require PEP. Oral sex carries little to no risk of transmission. There is no documented cases of transmission via oral sex.

    More information about transmission can be found here:
    https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing#:~:text=HIV

  10. bình

    Hello! I let my partner have oral sex with my penis. And I also kissed that girl when my gums were swollen and painful but I’m not sure if there were scratches or not. I peed within 18 hours after exposure. do you consider it a big risk and how effective is pep after 18h of exposure. please help me