Question
How often can one use PEP for unprotected sex?
28 November 2008. Related: All topics, HIV transmission, PEP/PEPSE.
How often can one use PEP ( AZT with 3TC) for unprotected sex? I have done this three times now (about six months in-between) with my partner as sometimes it is difficult to use a condom and I am afraid to insist that he gets a test done. So far, I have tested negative. Will this result in me being resistant to the drugs in future?
Answer
Let us get some things straight. Having unprotected sex with somebody who is known to be positive is like a Russian roulette. You never know when an infection can/will happen. I agree that certain practices are less risky and that there are other factors playing a role, like the viral load of the partner, any other STIs in either of you, etc. Still, every contact in fact, can lead to an infection.
The times you use PEP is not really significant here. What is important is that you may become resistant if you get infected while on a bi-therapy only (triple therapy is used in the UK) and you also limit severely your possible options for treatment in the country where you are after the infection.
Finally, think very seriously about what is more important for you-your life or a relationship with a partner who is ready to threaten your health for a short pleasure. Partnership is about being partners, in other words having equal rights and responsibilities. Again, this is a question of discussion between you and him.
Hope this helps.
All the best!
Hi Christy, please see here for information about transmission: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
I had unprotected sex not knowing his HIV positive around January and again around February but I found out after my third sex on 23 February and I enroll on TLD(PEP) within 20hours of exposure
Hi Adjoa, it is great to hear your husband is now on antiretroviral treatment. When were you last tested yourself?
After 3 months most people will have an undetectable viral load. This means they have a viral load below 200. When this happens and they are on treatment it is impossible to pass on HIV via sex. This would protect you from transmission. As you have only been having unprotected sex in the last 2 months, your husband would have likely already had a suppressed viral load preventing transmission.
This is called U=U: https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/
My husband is on antiretrovira drug for six months and some weeks now ,for two months now we’ve been having unprotected sex so am scared I will contract the virus