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What Causes Sore Throat And Mild Dry Cough After Completing PEP Course?
Question: Hello Doctor,
I hope you are doing fine.
Sorry to bother you again.
I have completed my PEP course yesterday (Sunday morning) has my last Isentress pill. However for the last 6 days I have developed sore throat and mild dry cough . Dry cough has started today.
I had been in US for last three months and returned to XXXXXXX last week. The sore throat started as a lump in throat on the day I was boarding flight from US. Currently there is no pain but I can clearly understand the inflammation and irritation. Along with this I feel quite fatigued in the morning. The nights are almost sleepless only two to three hours and am sleeping majorly in the afternoon (due to jetlag though jetlag does not generally last for such a long time)
I have tried warm water gurgle before going to sleep at night for last two days.
So this fatigue and throat problem can this be side effects of PEP ?
If yes, shall i visit a doctor (what specialized doctor shall i visit ?)
Also I went for a Hiv test today and they will give the result tomorrow. Have not written what specific type of HIV test they will do.
Finger crossed for the report tomorrow :(
Please let me know your view.
Regards.
I hope you are doing fine.
Sorry to bother you again.
I have completed my PEP course yesterday (Sunday morning) has my last Isentress pill. However for the last 6 days I have developed sore throat and mild dry cough . Dry cough has started today.
I had been in US for last three months and returned to XXXXXXX last week. The sore throat started as a lump in throat on the day I was boarding flight from US. Currently there is no pain but I can clearly understand the inflammation and irritation. Along with this I feel quite fatigued in the morning. The nights are almost sleepless only two to three hours and am sleeping majorly in the afternoon (due to jetlag though jetlag does not generally last for such a long time)
I have tried warm water gurgle before going to sleep at night for last two days.
So this fatigue and throat problem can this be side effects of PEP ?
If yes, shall i visit a doctor (what specialized doctor shall i visit ?)
Also I went for a Hiv test today and they will give the result tomorrow. Have not written what specific type of HIV test they will do.
Finger crossed for the report tomorrow :(
Please let me know your view.
Regards.
Brief Answer:
Symptoms not related to HIV or PEP. Consult ENT surgeon for throat.
Detailed Answer:
Hi NEO,
There is nothing to get excited or anxious. You had successfully completed your PEP. Congratulations. You had protected sex and oro-vaginal contact. So the chances of HIV transmission was remote. As you had started your PEP by 17 hours and completed the PEP, there is no possibility for HIV infection in your case.
Sore throat can occur to anybody at anytime, that too during travel. It could not be due to HIV. If you take an appropriate antibiotics your problem will vanish. Gargle with salted warm water (saline) is preferable. Tiredness, fatigue and sleeping in the afternoon all related to your long travel and jet lag.
They are not side effects of PEP. If your throat problem persists you can meet either a Physician or an ENT specialist.
Get well soon.
Dr S.Murugan
Symptoms not related to HIV or PEP. Consult ENT surgeon for throat.
Detailed Answer:
Hi NEO,
There is nothing to get excited or anxious. You had successfully completed your PEP. Congratulations. You had protected sex and oro-vaginal contact. So the chances of HIV transmission was remote. As you had started your PEP by 17 hours and completed the PEP, there is no possibility for HIV infection in your case.
Sore throat can occur to anybody at anytime, that too during travel. It could not be due to HIV. If you take an appropriate antibiotics your problem will vanish. Gargle with salted warm water (saline) is preferable. Tiredness, fatigue and sleeping in the afternoon all related to your long travel and jet lag.
They are not side effects of PEP. If your throat problem persists you can meet either a Physician or an ENT specialist.
Get well soon.
Dr S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello Doctor,
Thanks a lot for your reply.
I have uploaded a snapshot of my HAEMATOLOGY.
The only a slight out of value range is the Leucocyte count and the Lymphocyte percentage.
Will get my Hiv report tomorrow.
Regards,
Thanks a lot for your reply.
I have uploaded a snapshot of my HAEMATOLOGY.
The only a slight out of value range is the Leucocyte count and the Lymphocyte percentage.
Will get my Hiv report tomorrow.
Regards,
Brief Answer:
Minor variations in blood values are common to get.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Minor variations in the blood values is quite common in the practice due to minor infections and other health and nutritional variations and it will back to normal within a few days. So ignore this minor variation in the WBC total count and with the lymphocyte percentage.
Your HIV test result also will come as negative.
Dr S.Murugan
Minor variations in blood values are common to get.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Minor variations in the blood values is quite common in the practice due to minor infections and other health and nutritional variations and it will back to normal within a few days. So ignore this minor variation in the WBC total count and with the lymphocyte percentage.
Your HIV test result also will come as negative.
Dr S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello Doctor,
Today my Hiv Report came.
It has come negative but its a Elisa test. I donot know if its a 4th generation test or not and if its valid after the next day of PEP.
I will do a PCR after 2 weeks again
I know I have to retest at the end of 3 months again.
Here is the attached document.
Kindly have a look at it.
Today my Hiv Report came.
It has come negative but its a Elisa test. I donot know if its a 4th generation test or not and if its valid after the next day of PEP.
I will do a PCR after 2 weeks again
I know I have to retest at the end of 3 months again.
Here is the attached document.
Kindly have a look at it.
Brief Answer:
HIV ELISA test is also highly reliable
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM
All the HIV tests available in the market are highly reliable and sensitive up to or more than 98%. So you need not worry. As you had taken PEP the chances for HIV infection is unlikely. Anyhow as mentioned with any PEP, regular follow up for six months would relieve your mental tension totally.
Dr. S.Murugan
HIV ELISA test is also highly reliable
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM
All the HIV tests available in the market are highly reliable and sensitive up to or more than 98%. So you need not worry. As you had taken PEP the chances for HIV infection is unlikely. Anyhow as mentioned with any PEP, regular follow up for six months would relieve your mental tension totally.
Dr. S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks a lot Sir.
One last question since I did this test after 4 weeks , is it enough time for the test to be done ?
I know I am bothering you so much but this is the last one :)
Thank you so much for your instant replies :)
Today lot of anxiety gone.
One last question since I did this test after 4 weeks , is it enough time for the test to be done ?
I know I am bothering you so much but this is the last one :)
Thank you so much for your instant replies :)
Today lot of anxiety gone.
Brief Answer:
As the PEP is potent no chance for HIV.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
This ELISA at 4 weeks after the completion of PEP is not absolutely ruled out HIV through this incident. This is just to rule out any possibility of HIV through your previous sexual activities when there is possibility for you in window period. The antibody test done after 3 months and six months can rule out the possibility of HIV infection through the present high risk activity as the window period for this test is 8-12 weeks.
But you need not worry as your PEP is very potent.
DR S,.Murugan
As the PEP is potent no chance for HIV.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
This ELISA at 4 weeks after the completion of PEP is not absolutely ruled out HIV through this incident. This is just to rule out any possibility of HIV through your previous sexual activities when there is possibility for you in window period. The antibody test done after 3 months and six months can rule out the possibility of HIV infection through the present high risk activity as the window period for this test is 8-12 weeks.
But you need not worry as your PEP is very potent.
DR S,.Murugan
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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