Question
Does PEP delay seroconversion?
24 December 2021. Related: All topics, PEP/PEPSE.
Hi, I had an exposure in early October.
I took PEP (TDF + FTC + DTG) after 5 hours of the exposure. I did not accompany the doses with meals, I took them alone with water or some drink. Can this interfere or reduce its effectiveness?
Does PEP delay seroconversion in case of failure? At 5 weeks after finishing PEP swollen lymph glands in both armpit.
Answer
Hi, how are you doing?
PEP does have the potential to delay seroconversion.
As PEP works similar to medication used to manage HIV, PEP if unsuccessful can delay seroconversion.
This is why testing a minimum of 4 weeks after PEP is required. Seroconversion can occur 1-3 weeks after the course ends. Only 80% of those who do seroconvert in failed PEP will experience classical symptoms e.g., fatigue, fever, headache etc.
Five weeks after finishing PEP would be later than expected if this was really HIV. Swollen lymph nodes can arise from a number of infections, not only HIV. Is this symptom being managed by a doctor?
The combination you have taken can be consumed with or without food. This would not have impacted how well it worked as PEP.
This links includes info that will answer other questions on PEP:
https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
Josh.
Hi Willy, PEP is very effective.
This links includes info that will answer other questions on PEP:
https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
Hi doc,
I just finished using PEP which I started using less than 24hrs after the exposure, during the course I did not have sex with anybody but I masturbated alot and I also took malaria drugs and injection, I finished the course yesterday, and I’m not feeling too well, my body is paining, I started talking malaria injection since yesterday still not feeling well, I hope I have not been infected. Please help me
Hi Chris, please see link 5 to answer your Qs about PEP:
https://i-base.info/qa/11844
It covers the other Qs that I edited out to keep the Q&A direct.
Hello, please help me. I had sex in Bangkok last month and I went to a clinic for PEP and was given on Kocitaf (30 Tablets). What is the effectiveness of Kocitaf if taken NOT within 24 hours… but 48 and 72 hours respectively?
Any information or insight would help me/
Hi Khensi – please see here for info on PEP efficacy:
https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
Hi Josh are there no cases where Pep worked for someone after 3-10 days of exposure?
Hi Harrison, as your partner is on ART this is considered a low risk exposure and PEP is not required.
For more information about transmission please see here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
I had unprotected sex with someone on three occasions,the last being on Friday 24/5/24 just discovered that he is on ART yesterday and i did Oral Quick Hiv test it was negative ,my question
Is there chances of exposure? and currently just having body aches and can PEP be effective or i go for PREP.