If you're on PrEP to prevent HIV infection, the CDC recommends having an HIV PCR test at every PrEP visit with your physician.¹

After an HIV infection, it takes your body 23 to 90 days to produce enough antibodies and antigens to be detected by a standard blood test after an exposure.² For individuals on PrEP, this detection period can extend to an average of 126 days, and up to 600 days, for a serology test to show a positive result.³

Due to this delay, the CDC now mandates that, as of December 2021, an HIV PCR test must be performed alongside a serology test at every PrEP visit.¹ PCR tests can detect a breakthrough HIV infection much sooner than serology tests.² According to a recent study, unfortunately, the implementation of CDC PrEP guidelines across the nation varies significantly, thereby restricting our patients' access to the necessary care.⁴

If a breakthrough infection occurs, it's crucial to discontinue PrEP and start HIV therapy immediately to prevent treatment resistance and ensure the best long-term outcomes.⁵ Delayed detection and treatment can lead to resistance to first-line HIV therapies, resulting in significantly worse outcomes for patients.^{1, 6}