viral load test

6 October 2009. Related: V.

viral load test – a test that detects whether a virus is present (qualatitive) or that measures the amount of virus (quantitative).

This is usually in a sample of blood, but a viral load test can also be used to check viral levels in other samples including genital fluid, semen or spinal fluid.

Results are given as the number of copies of virus in a millilitre of blood (copies/mL).