Should I Take Pep If I Have Hiv

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Treatment After Exposure to HIV

For serious exposures, the U.S. Public Health Service recommends using a combination of three approved ARVs for four weeks. For less serious exposure, the guidelines recommend four weeks of treatment with two drugs: zidovudine (Retrovir, AZT) and lamivudine (Epivir, 3TC). In January 2001, the Centers for Disease Control warned against using nevirapine (Viramune) for PEP because of the risk of liver damage. See Fact Sheet 431 for more...

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Slightly Different PEP Window Period Question (Will Donate!) (PEP AND THE HIV SEROCONVERSION WINDOW PERIOD, 2011)

Dear Dr. Bob, kudos to you and the great service you provide. Being in the midst of a labyrinthine and hellish psychological trap, here's hoping you can shed some light on a question regarding PEP and window periods. The recommendation for...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hi.Concerns about PEP extending the HIV seroconversion window are blown way out of proportion. There is no sound scientific evidence that I am aware of that proves (or even suggests) that PEP actually increases the HIV seroconversion window! The... Read more »

Re: Baseline HIV Testing before giving PEP? (PEP AND THE NEED FOR HIV SPECIALIST, 2011)

Thank you so much for your answer Dr. Bob, I will be looking for another HIV specialist to follow up with... but I just wanted to ask you one more thing regarding my original question; Had the baseline HIV test been actually done at the...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello David,I agree it's irrational to think a hospital lab would run an HIV test, determine the results are positive, and then tell you the test was never run or canceled. Why would they do that? It really doesn't matter to the hospital... Read more »

Baseline HIV Testing before giving PEP? (PEP AND THE NEED FOR HIV SPECIALIST, 2011)

Hi there Dr. Frascino, I understand you must have tons of questions to answer so I'll try to be as short as I can. I went to the ER after a possible exposure, they called the ID doctor that was on call and he decided that my risk were...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hi David,I agree you should have an HIV-antibody baseline test. You can get it done now. If you are HIV infected, the HIV-antibody test will still be positive, even though you are taking PEP.I'm quite concerned on several levels about the ID... Read more »

Follow-up question. re:PEP without HIV specialist; Please help!

Dr. Bob,Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my question. I have since sought the help of an infectious desease specialst here in Thailand, and have continued the PEP treatment just to be sure. I have a question about a very specific...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello,1. I have no way of determining over the Internet if what you are noticing is a swollen lymph gland or not.2. Swollen lymph nodes are generally caused by some type of inflammation/infection.One final note: "symptoms" are notoriously... Read more »

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HIV, PEP, and irradication. What we'll never know.

Posted by Anonymous

The following is just a theory, or a topic for discussion.

Is it possible for a person to get the HIV virus in their body, but then somehow their body kills off the virus and they stay HIV negative? We'll never really know, because the virus would... Read more »

Help ... HIV or PEP Rash?

Posted by GDog, 2 Replies

About 4 weeks ago I stopped a PEP regimen consisting of Nelfinavir, 3TC and 4DT after 11 days.

I stopped due to a bad rash that developed all over my body (it was hot, red and kinda scaly on my legs, arms, neck, back and some on my chest).

I started... Read more »

GMan-Please read my post (Help!...HIV or PEP Rash)

Posted by GDog, 1 Reply

I see your opinion and expertise are valued in this forum and I would love to have your opinion on my risk level and chances of contracting HIV.

Please read my post below (titled "Help ... HIV or PEP Rash"). Read more »

HIV DNA RT by PCR test and PEP medications

Posted by johnnyyop2011, 1 Reply

On June 16, I discovered I was exposed several times to HIV from March 15 to June 10.

I tested negative via an antibody tests both in April and on June 17.

On June 17, I was immediately put on Post Exposure Prophylaxis medications (Kaletra 200-50 mg... Read more »

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