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.
if I have a second exposure on my tenth day of starting my PEP treatment will have to extend my PEP treatment?
Hi Davies, as you used a condom for the first exposure there was no risk of transmission – you did not need to be on PEP. How is your girlfriend adjusting to being HIV positive? Is she doing alright with treatment?
As you were on PEP for the second exposure you were protected. PEP can act as PrEP while you are taking it. You do not need a second course or to extend this one.
Hi I had sex with my girlfriend which is HIV positive, but I use condom. I took her to health center where she was placed on ARV. And I was also place on PEP for any possible infection for 30days withen 24hrs of the possible exposure. but was ask to come for test on the 28days which I did on the 29days and the test shows negative. So I had sex on the 29th evening while I still have 1tablet of the PEP left, unfortunately the condom broke. So I want to know if the PEP which I had been taken for 29days can as well act as prep? And do I need to continue another PEP for the next 28days at the time of the last exposure?
So what are my chances of testing negative since I noticed the broken condom on time and wash my safe very well?
Hi Gift, you should contact your health care if you have not been given an appropriate pill. If if it not the same as the other pills you need to speak with your prescribing health care professional. If you are not able to access health care today, taking the next days dose (if the pill is the same as previous) will allow you time to access healthcare.
If you are not able to do so, taking the half pill will have some effectiveness. It would be better than not taking it. As the dose will be half it will not be as good as if it was a full dose, but will still provide some protection.
Good day .. I have been on pep for 23 days and I jus saw 1 of my is half but the other half is not in the packet ….
Is the half pill going to b effective? Or should I contact my health care.
Hi thabo, what ARVs and PEP are you taking? Often PEP contains the same drugs as ARVs. If you took both pills on the same day it is possible you may experience heavier side effects than usual. This will return to normal in a few days. If you feel worse speak to your pharmacist or doctor but taking an extra dose is not likely to cause any problems – though it is best not to do this.
What happens if you take pep and arv same day
Hi Rowee, while on PEP you are unsure of your status. This means it is not recommended to have sex with your wife without a condom, OR your wife being on PrEP.
PEP can help as long as you start it within 72 hours. Is there reason to think your partner has HIV? Please follow this link for more information: https://i-base.info/guides/testing/pep-and-pepse
It’s 30 hours after unprotected sex with someone whose status is unknown can PEP help.
While on pep is it fine having sex with my wife
Hi Sascha, yes you can continue to treat yourself for the sore throat and fever. If the symptoms do get worse please speak to a doctor – feels worse than a normal sore throat.
Does your combination of PEP include a drug called tenofovir? If it does, it would be advised to not restart creatine until you finish PEP. This is because the combination of PEP (including tenofovir) and creatine can increase the risk of kidney injury.