HomeAnswersVenereologyhivI am scared of HIV and herpes after condom broke during sex. Should I take post-exposure prophylaxis?

Can post-exposure prophylaxis help prevent HIV and herpes after unprotected sex?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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Published At December 31, 2023
Reviewed AtFebruary 2, 2024

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

So I had sex, but I was unlucky that the condom tore a little. So I will be worried for three months until all test shows negative. As per some online information, there are medications called post-exposure prophylaxis. Should I get that? Can you prescribe PEP medication? Can I buy it in regular medical stores? Can it prevent other infections too, or just HIV? I think it is unlikely to get HIV as not everyone has HIV. I am worried more about herpes, and 48 hours have passed since the incident. Any suggestion on what to do next? I washed my penis twice after two minutes with soap and used hot water also. Please help.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) can also reduce the risk of herpes, as per some studies. If the status of your partner is not known, you should ask your partner for an HIV test. If your partner tests negative, it is likely that you will not get any infection unless a rare possibility of her being in a window period and contracting an infection recently. As I told you earlier, this possibility is likely in a commercial sex worker or some casual sex with a friend and unlikely in a regular partner in a monogamous relationship. If not, if you have a regular sex partner and you both have multiple sex partners, get your partner tested. For PEP to be prescribed, you have to visit a local HIV center attached to a government hospital. You cannot buy it in a regular medical store. Herpes-specific antivirals like Acyclovir have no role in preventing herpes after exposure.

Hope this answers your queries.

Take care.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for your reply.

The condom might have torn, and had little skin to skin contact which does not give enough viral load to give infection. Because of its commercial work, and considering the chance of getting STD, Is there a chance that I will get STD? Kindly suggest.

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Even If there is full contact with a person suffering from HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), chances of transmission is 0.04% in peno-vaginal sex and similar in other variants too. Multiple exposures, multiple partners, multiple unprotected exposures with Commercial sex workers increase the chance of acquiring STDs (sexually transmitted diseases).

I hope this information will help you.

Thank you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Dilip Kumar Meena
Dr. Dilip Kumar Meena

Dermatology

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