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.
I was exposed to hiv 3 weeks ago and I got a prescription of pep on within the first 24 hours. I am still on pep but started vomiting a day ago then pain on my thighs and groin area, general weakness. Should I be worried?
Hi M, please follow this link for more information: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Hi,I had an unprotected sex with a stranger and didn’t know the status of the lady and was afraid of infection and after 18 days I asked her to do test but she did only normal blood checkup.On that checkup she is healthy without any infections and WBC and RBC is in range.Should I trust on this or should I worry.Please let me know.During this period of 23 days I had no any fever but had soar throat.
Hi Hams, unfortunately PEP will not work after 72 hours. A week after exposure for it to have any effect. Having sex with someone HIV positive does not mean that HIV will be transmitted. There are a number of factors that change this risk: https://i-base.info/guides/testing/risks-for-transmission
Please follow this link for more information about testing and transmission: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Hi
anyone available to answer this please give me hope at least, i had vaginal sex with a woman who is HIV positive without a condom, we only discovered she was HIV+ 7days after doing a home antibody test. i immediately started PEP which i know very well that it was too late beyond the recommended 72hrs. i have been consistent taking pep and with mild side effects, what are chances that pep may work the fact that i took it absolutely very late. how ever i must mention that during sex this woman got so wet and i never discovered any scratch or cut on my shaft upon taking a shower in the morning. shes not on any ARVs and viral load not yet known. all she says is she got infected 4 months ago. pls calculate the chances of infection. it was just one round the following morning my dick couldnt erect. help a brother.
Hi Vanessa, if you only just finished PEP these symptoms are more likely to be from stress, or worry or flu than HIV – but I am not a doctor.
Done with TLD pep but have flu like symptoms
Hi KC, dizziness is a common side effect of PEP. Your exposure is very low risk. As the contact was minimal and the status unknown if your partner, in the UK PEP would not be recommended. Please follow this link for more information: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Hello,
I had sex with a woman whose HIV status is unknown. The condom ruptured as I tried to penetrate but I think I may have been in contact with her for 3-5 seconds max. As I realized the rupture, I withdrew and put on a new condom and continued. After consulting my doctor, I started PEP meds within 4 hours of the incident. Took the PEP med at 11 pm and woke up pretty dizzy. Is this side effect normal and what are my chances of infection. I’m extremely worried!
KC
Hi dB*ng, no you do not need to extend your course. 10 days in means you already have a high level of anti-viral drug in your body. While on PEP, your medication will also act as PrEP. This means you are protected from any further exposures while taking PEP.
You can complete your course when you initially expected to.