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 Alwin, as both you and your partner have tested negative there is no requirement for you to remain on PEP. There is no risk of transmission. Please see here for more information: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Hi Adam, the effectiveness for bottoms is the same for tops. Tops also have a lower risk of transmission anyway without PrEP. PrEP is effective at 7 days for tops.
As you had been on PrEP for more than 7 days you did not require PEP.
I had unprotected sex with a man and his status is unknown. I had started daily Prep 9 days prior to this. I had read the for tops you may need 21 days on prep, so I took a second truvada pill 3 hours before sex thinking it might work like the 2:1:1 method since it would be two pills within 24 hours. I continued taking daily prep after, since I panic about HIV easily I also got a prescription for PEP and completed the 28 day course
My PEP course ended a month ago.
I’m definitely prone to over react to this kind of stuff, and I think I’m probably not at high risk of being infected, I’m wondering if the PEP was over-kill ? Is there any info if Prep is effective for tops at 7 days or is it actually 21 days?
Hi David, for information about transmission please see here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Can someone get HIV from someone who as it without eny cut
Hi Steve, as the sex worker has said she is HIV negative there is no reason to doubt this. Trisbuss is effective as PEP. STDs can increase the risk of HIV transmission but it does not make the risk ‘insanely high’. Please see here for more information: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Hi there!
Unfortunately I had a night of sex with a sex worker without protection which was due to a lot of alcohol..
The sex worker claims she isn’t HIV positive however this only concerns me more that she may be in the acute stage.
After roughly 40 hours I started taking pep and was prescribed Tribuss in South Africa. I have now finished the 28 day course and I’m insanely worried about having an HIV test..
I definitely picked up chlamydia and potentially syphilis and am taking Doxycycline for 14 days to address both of these…
I read a lot online that Tribuss is ineffective as PEP and the chances of catching HIV with other STD’s is insanely high.
Can you please confirm the effectiveness of Tribuss as pep and the chances of me testing positive in the upcoming test..
Hi John
Thanks.
Please see this factsheet on PEP that answers your Qs:
https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
Hi I’m John,
I had unprotected sex with a lady who I found out post encounter that is HIV positive and is yet initiate treatment. I was only able to access PEP around 33hrs after exposure and started right away. On day 26 now and side effects of tiredness and fatigue are gone. What are my prospects of success as I have sticked to prescribed treatment all times and never missed doses?
Hi Claire,
Please see this factsheet on PEP that answers your Qs:
https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
The condom means you are not at risk so in the UK you wouldnt have been prescribed PEP.
You started in time for this to still work though, so please don’t worry.