Hello guys, 

 

I need some guidance please. I started taking PEP about 30 days ago after exposure, I've finished my regimen today (but last Sunday I had a new exposure). 

 

Today I went to my local health center and got tested which was negative, but I also wanted to continue taking PEP due to my new exposure last Sunday to complete a total of 28 days. But at the health center they said it was not recommended and instead just recommended I return in 30 days to do a new test, despite me insisting I wanted to start a new PEP regimen.

 

I'm afraid they've might have not fully understood things despite talking to two different people, and them saying they've checked with the infectologist. 

 

My question is, should I continue with PeP or was the fact that I was taking it for 25 days when I had the exposure and continued to take for 4 days afterwards sufficient to mitigate infection exposure risks? 

 

I've tried to search for answer online but some conflicting answers and I thought in ATRL some gay may know about this.

You're actually fine. PEP is most effective when started within 72 hours and taken for the full 28-day course. You're doing great by getting tested regularly but I would continue to follow-up to make sure. You already completed a full course recently so it may not be needed to be taken again.

 

I know it's scary but try your best not to worry. Try to calm your anxiety by realizing that you have and are doing all you need to do to be safe & healthy. I hope this helps. 

Just to add, as someone who has an auto immune disease, keep in mind if you take too many of the same antibiotics in a short time frame your body builds up immunity to them. 
 

Basically they don't want your body to become immune to PEP. What they told you to do is correct. Just continue to monitor, keep dates as well as contact information of those you've been with. That will support you on keeping a clear mind and reaffirm you're a great human being. 

Their next step shouldve been to give you PrEP which can prevent you having hiv. But you should be OK! Try not to over stress because the exposure was during the PEP regime 

The PEP Base thread 

The clinic is right, you do not need to repeat PEP. If you're actively taking PEP and get exposed to HIV, it's clinically similar to being exposed to HIV while on PrEP — ie your body already had sufficient protection from that sexual encounter and there's no need to continue treatment for an additional 28 days. 

53 minutes ago, right where you left me said:

The PEP Base thread 

Are you 12? 

@brazilFollow the clinic's instructions as you should still have some leftover protection from the pills, however, get tested regularly and get on PreP as soon as you can if you think you can potentially be at risk again further down the line.

Thanks bbs who replied.

 

3 hours ago, Goaty said:

The clinic is right, you do not need to repeat PEP. If you're actively taking PEP and get exposed to HIV, it's clinically similar to being exposed to HIV while on PrEP — ie your body already had sufficient protection from that sexual encounter and there's no need to continue treatment for an additional 28 days. 

Yes, after some further reading into it, this seems correct. Funny thing is that they were initially planning on giving me PrEP, but after I further enquired about getting PeP they let me go just with an instruction for safe sex and coming back in 1 month to get tested again.

 

I actually bought PrEP at the pharmacy just now  and took it 

the first time i got on prep was through pep. the standard procedure is to transition to prep (which is basically one of the recommended 2 types of pep pills that prevents viral replication) after finishing the pep regimen if you continue to be at high risk (e.g. have random s*x partners or share n*edles). you should be fine as long as you stay on prep during high risk periods and get tested regularly.

Edited February 28, 20251 yr by Contessa

pep and prep are essentially the same medication so you did a great thing getting prep!