[Question #9334] Last question

33 months ago

If you can see my previous post… Then I’m trying to come to a conclusion.. I got tested 4 weeks after pep 6 weeks after pep & 12 weeks.. 94 days after exposure to be exact 66 days last dose of pep.. am i able to have sex with my partner now like am I clear of the infection because my doctor said come back in 3 more months for one more test do I need that test or no? Like you told me after six weeks it was conclusive so am I good?

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

33 months ago

I'm sorry you felt a need to come back. I really cannot say anything that wasn't said in your previous two threads. Did you read them carefully? Is there something in them you didn't understand?

My previous replies make it clear that there are not conclusive data or 100% agreement on timing of HIV testing after PEP. It included this statement: "...all experts recommend final testing at least 6 weeks after the last dose, and some might recommend 3 months."

It is apparent your doctor is one of those who advises testing at 3 months. With your results so far, you can be very certain you do not have HIV and if somehow I were in your situation, I would resume sex with my wife. But you'll have to decide whether to confirm your negative result by following your doctor's advice to test again 3 months after the last dose. (I have never heard of anyone who tested negative at 6+ weeks after the last PEP dose who then had a positive result at 3 months. If this happens, it is very rare.)

HHH, MD

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33 months ago

You said on my last post that if I want to be 100% certain than after 6 weeks now you are saying you can’t be 100% sure doesn’t make sense I was just asking do I have a conclusive result yet 94 days after exposure because my throat hurts really bad now

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

33 months ago

My personal belief is that 6 weeks after the last dose of PEP is conclusive and you can safely have sex with your wife. As I also said, some experts recommend waiting 3 months, and your doctor apparently is in that group. We generally advise users to follow their doctors' advice if it differs from ours, unless s/he is obviously mistaken. But this is a reasonable difference of professional opinion, when absolutely conclusive data are not available. Your doctor probably is just as expert in these matters as I am.

HIV almost certainly is not the cause of your sore throat. You probably have a cold. Contact your doctor if you remain concerned about it.

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