Question

What does the number on my HIV test result mean?

15 January 2017. Related: All topics, HIV testing, HIV transmission.

I had an HIV test done and result was negative and non reactive. The result showed 0.04 what does this mean? Jake

Answer

Hi Jake,

Thank you for your question.

A result that is less than 1.0 means you do not have HIV. You result of 0.04 is less than 1.0.

The number is a more accurate (quantitative) way of measuring the result other than a simple, yes or no. If the number is less than 1.0 the result is negative,

if the result is above 1.0 the result is positive,

if the result is very close to 1.0, either higher or lower, then the doctor may decide a confirmatory test is required.

Any time you don’t understand a test result it is important to ask the test centre or doctor who performed the test.

The answer was updated in January 2017 from a post in November 2010. i-Base no longer answers questions about HIV testing and transmission. Please see: Questions 1 and 8 at this link for more information.

91 comments

Lisa Thorley • 2 April 2017

Hi Eric,

Please see the above post and Q1 here:

https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
eric • 2 April 2017

I am currently having pain in mouth for 3 months and I had my hiv r test in December 2014.. the result was 0.79 and non-reactive… what does this mean… do I have hiv or what???
Lisa Thorley • 12 March 2017

Hi Th.

Please see Q 1 here:

https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
Th • 12 March 2017

Hello, sir
I was a tattoo artist. When I was making tattoo mistakenly I have injected the needle three time of three different person it was about 4years ago now I am suffering from Gestro problem and I have test HIV Test three times first on 28.12.2015 second on 12.7.2016 and third on 4.1.2017
All test results are first 0.04 second 0.06 and third 0.16. should I need to go for further test. I am confused. Please guide me.
Lisa Thorley • 8 March 2017

Hi Sameer,

Please see Q’s 1 and 8 here:

https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
sameer • 8 March 2017

Hi i had gone through clia HIV test and the result is non reactive with no indication of biological reference range . what does it indicates
Lisa Thorley • 16 February 2017

Hi Patrick,

Please see Q’s 1 and 8 here:

https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
Patrick • 16 February 2017

What is the result: Hiv -1/2 means positive or negative?
Lisa Thorley • 16 February 2017

Hi Kavindra,

Please see Q1 here:

https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
Kavindra • 16 February 2017

Hlw sr i am 28 year old i am suffering from following
1 sore thorat with caugh and dry mouth
2 white and dry tongue
3 fever repeated again and again since 2month
4 chest pain
5 joint and muscle pain
6 pain in abdomenal
7 pain in lower abdonal
8 pain in back
9 pain in feet
10 pain in hand
11 weakness
12 tiredness
13 allergy on the face
14 allergy on growing area
15 night sweats
Sr i have proceted sex with A prostute lady in oct 2015 sr after 15month i get hiv test and my hiv result is negative sr pl help me