[Question #12827] Testing after prep

4 months ago

Hi there! I asked a question, recently about an exposure with someone who possibly had HIV. Dr HH said that it was a low risk event even though I had a cut in my mouth.

I was tested for prep and had an issue with my insurance. I wasn’t able to get my prep script filled when this event happened. I started prep 6 days later(not intended as prep)

I’ve been tested a bunch since I’m really anxious pcr at 25 days, antigen/pcr at 34 days and antigen/pcr at 47 days - all negative however I was taking prep the entire time.

I’ve read in a few places that prep will suppress the viral load and will make HIV undetectable in tests. I’m worried that I’m getting false negatives and I’m considering going off of prep (Descovy) for a while and testing again. Is there a window and a particular test I should take after i stop taking the drug?

Thank you for your patient and support!

Edward W. Hook M.D.

4 months ago

Welcome back to the Forum. Thanks for your questions. I'll be glad to comment. On this occasion I will be answering your follow-up questions. In preparing to respond I reviewed your recent interaction with Dr. Handsfield and agree with all that he said. The encounter you describe was close to no risk. In addition, I agree with his statement that if you had acquired HIV, taking PrEP would not "mask" HIV if you had become infected. The suggestion that this is might happen is a myth.

If I were you, I would not stop taking PrEP for the purpose of testing. EWH

---

4 months ago

Wow! Thank you for the fast reply! I’ve really been worried that the prep would prevent me from seroconverting for a longer time which would lead to all of these negative results. I worried that I tested too early

The events of the night are a bit blurry which is why I’m questioning the risk of exposure. I’ve also been feeling some random weirdness that are probably attributed to stress or allergies. I’ve read in other responses that 2 weeks was the period of testing after stopping pep.. I just wondered if the prep window was the same..

Edward W. Hook M.D.

4 months ago

Both PEP and PrEP fail so rarely that there are no good data regarding the theoretical possibility of “masking” infection. That said, had you acquired HIV, your 47 day PCR would have been positive. Please don’t be misled by the internet and believe your test results. EWH---

4 months ago

I need to clarify that I was not on prep when the incident happened. I started to take prep 6 days after whatever exposure I had… the delay in getting the Descovy prescription filled resulted in me not taking the drug for a full month. I’m worried that, if I were exposed, the seroconversion would be delayed since I started to take prep 6 days afterwards… sorry if this is redundant. I just wanted to be sure you understood my concern. Thanks!

Edward W. Hook M.D.

4 months ago

Thanks for the clarification. That makes me even more confident that your tests results are valid. Your tests would have been positive.

As you know, we provide up to three responses to each clients question. This is my third response and therefore this thread is now complete. I urge you to put your unwarranted fears aside and move forward. EWH.

---

4 months ago

Thank you for your support and quick replies!