PEP and testing

[worriednow345]

I have asked this question before but I would like to know if I could be given anymore information. I had many exposures, unprotected vaginal sex, to someone who had hiv, i did not know at the time. I had a test 12-13 weeks after exposure and was negative, but I took combivir for 3 weeks 4 weeks after the exposure. Do you think the timing I took the medication had an affect on my antibody test, since I took it at a time that I could have been seroconverting. I didnt have any symptoms while taking the medication, except 3 weeks after the exposure I had a chest cold and had fatigue for 3 days, no fever or anything else. Do you think it is highly likely the pep could of had an effect on the antibody test, Some say it does not and some say it does. are you estimating it would have an affect or do you think it would have an effect based on your knowledge about the nature of the disease. I read on thebody.com that it does not have an effect on an antibody test but it could theoreticaly, what does that mean. do you know at all how accurate my test was 12 weeks after exposure and 6 weeks after the last dose of combivir. I also took a test 4 weeks after the exposure and it was negative. Does my chest cold for 3 days sound like ars, I did not have a fever.

[worriednow345]

Thank you. I am praying everyday.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

There will be a single answer to your question and, to be honest, I find myself wondering why I am doing that.  These questions have already been answered. You took PEP at the wrong time. There is no reason to anticipate that it would have any effect on whether or not you acquired HIV.  Whether or not it effected your HIV antibody test is unknown since there are no studies to answer what happens to the development of antibodies when a person takes PEP at the wrong time.  As I have also told you, given your test results and based on logic, it is unlikely that you acquired HIV however, to be sure, you should have a repeat antibody test at 12 weeks following your last dose of combivir.

End of thread.  Further questions will be deleted without comment.  EWH

[worriednow345]

Just wanted to make clear I took combivir for 3 weeks, 4 weeks after the exposure, not the correct time to take pep.