Should I take PEP?

[jacksonaction]

I had unprotected anal sex with someone whose sexual history I don't know. It was my first time meeting him. We did cocaine together, then he fingered me aggressively, then I bottomed for him twice without condoms. I don't think he ejaculated inside me, but he did ejaculate twice that night at other times. A few hours later when I went to the bathroom I noticed some blood on the toiler paper. I got nervous about HIV transmission and called him, and asked about his HIV status. He told me that he doesn't have unprotected sex, but he made an exception with me, and that he tested negative for HIV three weeks ago. I don't know him well enough to know if I can trust what he says. I'm still within the time window to start PEP treatment. The question is, should I trust him? Or should I do PEP?

[jacksonaction]

Thanks everyone for your help. I want to the doctor today and she said I should start PEP. So I took my first pills a few hours ago. I dread the side effects but at least I'm doing something to try and stay healthy. I will get tested and I will try hard not to repeat the stupid behaviour that got me here in the first place!

[nursegirl6572]

You definitely would be a candidate for PEP, as receptive anal sex is a pretty high risk..  This is really something that is going to end up being a personal decision to make with the guidance and input of a doctor.  You need to pursue this ASAP though, as the sooner PEP is started within 72 hours of the exposure, the better.

Either way, you're going to want to get tested, and from now on, insist on condoms for anal sex.  You must always protect yourself.

[Life360_Dave]

Vance mentions that its for those who had exposure with known hiv positive folks and to talk to your doctor about it.

[jacksonaction]

Thanks for your comments. I will get tested and won't do anything stupid like this again. Can you give me any more advice about whether to get PEP?

[Vance2335]

No matter what you should have an antibody test at 3 months.

[Vance2335]

That is a decision you need to make with your Dr. Most will use PEP when they have a known risk (unprotected sex with someone known to be HIV+).

You should be using condoms.