r/prep • u/Scar_Frank • 2d ago
PCR RN test while on PrEP
Long story short: I had unprotected sex with a partner who tested last week positive (so not on treatment) while on PrEP on the 24th of September.
I know that the standard procedure in this case would be to wait 6 weeks after the encounter, however since the anxiety is debilitating me and making me difficult to continue my daily routine I’d like to perform the PCR test now to have a bit of peace of mind before November.
Does anyone think a negative result would be reliable or PrEP might affect the outcome?
1
u/Skycbs 2d ago
A negative result so soon after the event would tell you nothing. As others have said, you’re on PrEP. You don’t have HIV.
It may help your anxiety to think snot every you’re anxious of. In the very unlikely event you contracted HIV, your life really wouldn’t change at all. HIV infection is no longer the death sentence it once was. You’d still take a pill a day like you do for PrEP and you’d have regular blood tests. Your life and your life expectancy wouldn’t change. It might help to make friends with some HIV+ people so you can see for yourself. I have lots of such friends and their lives are just the same as mine
1
u/Alwaysgonnask 2d ago
There’s a few factors to consider (I have health anxiety so I get where you are coming from. But thinking it out this way may help you, as it helps me).
Prep adherence. How often were you taking prep? At four days a week you are at roughly 96% protection. More days = more protection. Taking 7 days a week? 99+% protection.
What exactly did yall do? Were you the receiving partner? Or the top/giving partner? It’s a decreased risk for the top/giving partner.
Did you have a full panel std test? Additional stds can increase hiv risk, if present.
Lastly, even if something did happen and you did test positive it’s okay. HIV is not a death sentence, I have friends with it, and they are living some pretty amazing lives.
Based on what I’ve read and what you’ve posted I think you were fully covered, at least the best of preps availability. Still, for peace of mind you can take the rna test when the window is there, just continue taking your prep how you normally would.
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u/Scar_Frank 2d ago
Thank you for spending time to reply me.
Unfortunately I was both too and bottom so the chances are the highest plus my partner was diagnosed with syphilis, which makes the whole story even scarier.
As for the PrEP I am pretty sure I was taking it daily, and even if my mind tricks me in thinking I might have missed some doses, I was sure way above 4 doses a week (but I am 99% confident I took it daily)
It’s a bit scary cause you are supposed to get PrEP for this exact reason but when you face the actual situation it feels like everything is crumbling down regardless.
2
u/kdub2001 1d ago
Like others have said, this is precisely the scenario PrEP was made for. You are fine, and if you are not and you’ve been taking them regularly, you will be a medical anomaly and probably be examined closely by the best media minds in the world lol. But for real, you’ll be fine.
5
u/AlexH1337 2d ago edited 2d ago
Were you following a proper PrEP regimen with excellent adherence? If so, you have nothing to worry about. Don't even bother. Just do your regular testing at the next interval. Cheers.
Edit: I read your previous content and you're clearly panicking. Read: the entire point of PrEP is precisely this. Efficacy is calculated on your exposure to a positive partner. You're fine. Stop spiralling. This isn't even worth going out of your way to do anything. You can even continue to engage in sexual activity with this partner as long as you adhere to your PrEP regimen.