Question
I have started PEP and want to know if I will be okay?
28 November 2010. Related: PEP/PEPSE, Side effects.
I had sex with a transexual man. I was on top and without me realizing the condom had ruptured, I washed myself and went home. But I did not feel comfortable. So I sent a text asking the man I had just had sex with if he was HIV positive, to which he answered, yes. I freaked out and went inmediately to the internet and did some research. I read about PEP, so the next morning I went to the clinic and I was placed on – Truvada 200 mg, Norvir 100 mg and Reyataz 300 mg. This was 36 hours after the incident.
I have had no side effects. But for the last two days, I have felt as if I have some fever. I tested my temperature and it is within the normal parameters of 98.2 and 98.7. Please tell me do I have a shot to be well? The person I had sex with told me that his viral count is below 40. Please help.
Answer
Thank you for your question.
I am sorry to know that you are distressed. What is important is that you have taken the right steps to giving yourself a chance of remaining uninfected. PEP is effective the earlier that you take it and should be taken within 72 hours of being exposed to HIV. You started PEP within that time frame.
Additionally, as the person who you had sex with is on treatment with an undetectable viral load, then your chances of an HIV infection are much more reduced than if that person was not on treatment.
If you take the PEP as prescribed this will reduce the small chance that you were exposed to HIV.
Symptoms do not occur this soon after an exposure.
Good luck.
Hi Derick, it is possible that these symptoms are caused by TLD or even by stress. Did you use a condom or know if she is on HIV medication? Both of these would prevent any risk of transmission. Please follow this link for how what type of sex you have alters the risk of transmission: https://i-base.info/guides/testing/risks-for-transmission
Please I really need your help I had sex with my female bestie friend ,not knowing that she was positive my mind just cracked up that I should test her and found that she’s positive .I went to the hospital I was put on TLD pep now am on 17day and I’ve severe symptoms of skin itchy and muscle pains what could be the problem
Hi David, this is much more likely to do with the fact that you were caught in the rain for so long. Being the insertive partner and taking PEP so soon really reduces your risk. In this instance your fever was much more likely caused by the rain.
I am currently on TLD for PEP taken about 6 hours after unprotected insertive anal intercourse with a hiv positive man who isn’t on meds and about 25 days into the pills.
Two days ago i got trapped outside during the rain and was drenched for like two hours. I started having catarrh with sneezing about 6 hours later and fever about 24 hours later.
I took paracetamol however. I am aware fever is something i should look out for during this period but is this likely seroconversion or an effect of being out in the rain and cold?
Hi Jav, there is chance of exposure from this event. Your finger would have needed to be actively bleeding for this to have even a small chance. As your finger was bleeding there would have been no contact with HIV – even while healing, skin is an excellent barrier against infection.
Hi,
I had encounter with lady where I rubbed my penis on her vulva but no penetration,although I fingered her and had a small healing cut on my palm which might have contacted the vaginal fluids,thinking of starting pep as she is reluctant for test,i tested 1 month ago and was-ve,what are chances of exposure
Hi Betty, unfortunately after 90 hours PEP will not be effective. After 72 hours it would not be effective. Do you have a reason to not trust him? Please follow this link to understand risk of HIV transmission: https://i-base.info/guides/testing/risks-for-transmission
I had unprotected sex with a man but we tested negative before sex ..but I felt I didn’t trust him and I decided to take pep
after 90hrs will it be effective?
Hi Amoah, as you have been on PEP for 15 days already it is likely to work as PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). This means that you do not need to extend the course of PEP. Have you considered taking PrEP after this? Being proactive about your own sexual health will help to reduce risk of transmission in the future. Please follow this link for more information about PrEP: https://i-base.info/guides/prep (please note this guide is UK specific).
I had sex with a partner unprotected and suspected her and started the PEP after 15 days I had sex with her again n convince her to do the test n realized she was positive, will I complete and start again or what??