Question
Is it possible to have an undetectable viral load and a low CD4 count?
5 February 2020. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load.
I’m curious. can you have a low CD4 and still have an undetectable viral load?
Answer
Thanks for getting in touch.
The simple answer is yes, even though this is not common. It also depends on how you define “low” and whether of not someone is on treatment.
The average range for a CD4 count in HIV negative people is from about 400 to 1600. But about 3% of people have CD4 counts that are higher or lower that this range.
Also, if someone starts treatment with a very low CD4 count (under 100) their viral load will become undetectable very quickly, but the CD4 count will take longer to increase.
Hi Angela,
Please see this Q&A about the timeline for HIV cure research. As Simon says, there are many research groups that are now actively working on strategies for an HIV cure.
And please see this link to the HIV cure puzzle.
Why is there No cure for HIV yet especially for the ones that just got HIV and ain’t had it that long