Dr Sean cummings

Hi dr,a month ago I was involved In what's considered a high risk HIV exposure,not a good month for me
Tomorrow is my last day on pep,I am under going my treatment and testing with the San Francisco city clinic
At 26 days I was tested results came back negative,I 2 more days on pep,I know I will have to wait until after completion of pep for a conclusive negative,it's just the anxiety of the silly mistake I made is getting the best of me
I've read amongst these forums,,is people with definite high risk exposure with known HIV + and test negative at the interval I did do not go on to become HIV positive later,can a take some reassurance in this statement,any answer or insight is greatly appreciated doctor

[Dr. Jose Gonzalez-Garcia, MD, MRCGP, PhD]

Hello,
Thank you very much for your post and welcome to our forum.  I hope you do not mind, but I will be answering your question, rather than my colleague, Dr Sean Cummings.
PEP has a very high rate of success, if started within 72 hours from the possible exposure.  And if PEP fails, a test would normally have detected the infection at this stage.  Therefore the negative test result that you have had is very promising and highly reassuring.  However it cannot be considered fully conclusive, because of the possible effects of PEP on the reliability of all diagnostic tests.  Current guidelines still recommend that the final test should be done after 12 weeks of finishing PEP.  However in my clinical experience a negative HIV Duo test after 4-6 weeks of finishing PEP can also be considered reliable and conclusive.
Best wishes,
Dr José

[johnnyttt]

Thanks dr fo answering,although is said to be not fully conclusive I am definitely in a better place than at the start of pep

[johnnyttt]

Thanks so much for the reply dr,I was under going my treatment at San Francisco city clinic,I was given an RNA test plus an antibody/antigen Abbott test 1 week after pep,results came back non reactive,negative,I've never been so greatful and happy,the clinic told me there is no need for further testing as this test is considered conclusive,but when I read these forums it says I should wait 2 weeks post pep for RNA,what is your view on this Dr,thanks in advance for your reply

[Vance2335]

As far as I know Dr.K works at the SF Clinic, your in great hands at that clinic.