Dr Bob, A short question might work this time - since you havent answered my previous drawn out questions.

Unprotected vaginal receptive sex with a male of unknown status (not MSM or IDU). Started PEP 54 hours after incident. Finished complete course of triple therapy PEP. Tested negative:-

Baseline 6 weeks post exposure (p24/ELISA) 7 weeks post exposure (p24/ELISA) 9 weeks post exposure (home rapid test) 10.5 weeks post exposure-6 weeks post PEP (p24/ELISA) 11 weeks post exposure-7 weeks post PEP (home rapid test) 13 weeks post exposur (p24/ELISA)

All negative.

So in short- is my 3 month 4th generation ELISA/p24 test accurate even though I had the PEP? or do I need to test further?

Fingers Crossed, Sydney.

Hello Fingers Crossed Sydney,

This first issue is PEP. Generally speaking, most HIV specialists and I would not recommend PEP for a one-time vaginal receptive sex episode with a male of unknown status.

Next, if PEP is recommended by an HIV/AIDS specialist for a significant HIV exposure, such as receptive sex with a person confirmed to be HIV positive, there are specific protocols and guidelines available. These guidelines would include testing at baseline, four-six weeks, and three months, but would not include your extra tests at 7, 9, 10.5, and 11 weeks. This makes me wonder if you're under the care of a knowledgeable HIV/AIDS expert.

In short, I would not have encouraged PEP for your level of potential exposure, and I would not have recommended so many HIV tests. But since that's all history at this point, I'll just advise you to uncross your fingers before they start cramping. Continue to follow the advice of your HIV/AIDS expert, as he/she most likely knows more details about your particular exposure than I do. However, from what you've told me, I do not feel additional testing is needed.

Stay well.

Dr. Bob