Question, missed one dosis of PEP. 54 hours between doses.

[nuevocorreozor]

Hi! Thank you for having this forum.

I had a possible exposure to HIV since I was involved in a protected anal penetrative intercourse being the top, but the condom ended up having two minimal holes. (If I hadn't checked the condom with water, I would have never noticed the holes.) I consulted with my physician and started PEP less than 24 hours after exposure (Truvada and Tivicay). The problem is that accidentally I missed my 14th dose. When I realized it, I took the following dose the next day. My concern is that 54 hours passed between the last dose and the one I took after the day I missed.

I already contacted my healthcare provider but I would like to know your opinion regarding some questions: Has PEP lost all its effect on protecting me from being infected? Would you recommend I continue taking the remaining doses? Do these 54 hours between doses will make the PEP fail to protect me from infection?

Thank you!!!

 




 

[Jim Allen]

Hiya,

Missing a single dose of PEP two weeks in isn't going to change the outcome. By this time the drug levels are nearing their peak within your tissue. 

Regarding testing the condoms after intercourse, don't. It's not needed at all and could damage the condom, as it's not designed as a reusable (re-stressed) product and this could lead you to mistakenly think that the condom was damaged during sex, when in fact you actually caused the damage after the intercourse by trying to "test" it with water. In short, testing the condom yourself is not a reliable way to tell you anything.

Testing condoms yourself is basically a step shy of paranoia if you ask me. Instead, use condoms correctly and consistently. If they don't obviously break during the act of intercourse there is no reason to stress about HIV from the intercourse, just move on with your life and test out of routine at least yearly.

Prehaps consider talking to your healthcare provider about PrEP as next to an additional layer of prevention in the future, it may also provide you with some peace of mind.

Here's what you need to know to avoid HIV infection:
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, every time, no exceptions. Continue using PrEP as an additional layer of HIV protection.

Keep in mind that some sexual practices which may be described as ‘safe’ in terms of HIV transmission might still pose a risk for transmission of other STI's, so please do get fully tested regularly and at least yearly for STI's including but not limited to HIV and test more frequently if unprotected intercourse occurs

Also, note that it is possible to have an STI and show no signs or symptoms and the only way of knowing is by testing.

Kind regards

Jim

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