Can PEP delay HIV and cause negative test results?

Hello doctor,

I am a homosexual male. Two years ago, I had my first exposure for HIV. One year ago I tested negative for HIV1 & 2 with 4th generation tests. I have started PEP on four months back, after a second exposure (17 doses and then discontinued). Second contact partner confirmed negative. Also, tested negative with 4th gen tests on day 33 and day 60 post-PEP, which is about four months post my first exposure. My question is can 17 doses of PEP potentially delay seroconversion if there was exposure and it was not detected in HIV1 or 2 tests. Kindly guide.

Thank you.

Hi doctor,

Thank you for your reply.

Consider a scenario where I was exposed to HIV 1 or 2 during the initial exposure and tested negative on days 22, 27, and 35 (immediately started PEP after the negative 4th gen test on day 35 post the 1st exposure). If I were genuinely exposed during the 1st exposure and the tests did not detect it, could a 17-day course of PEP impact or cause a delay in seroconversion to HIV 1 or 2 antibodies? Would my tests on day 33 and day 60 post-PEP still be able to detect HIV 1 & 2 antibodies if I were genuinely exposed and infected during the initial exposure?

Thank you.

Hi doctor,

Thank you for your reply.

So, despite the 17 doses of PEP administered 35 days after the initial exposure, would it not cause a delay in the seroconversion of HIV 1 or 2 antibodies? Therefore, my negative 4th gen lab results on days 33 and 60 post-PEP would likely detect antibodies if I were genuinely infected during the initial exposure. The 60-day post-PEP test was conducted 112 days after the first exposure. Can I find reassurance in these results? I am experiencing some troubling symptoms, but they are likely unrelated to HIV, as symptoms typically indicate an antibody response and immune system reaction to the virus for HIV 1 and 2. Kindly guide.

Thank you.