Question
My viral load is 20, is this OK?
24 February 2017. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load.
Been on Atripla for 6 years now ,
went for my regular test ,got my results today and CD4 is on 900 but VL is less than 20 copies am very worried as it is usually undetectable.
what can i do to make sure it gets undetectable again?
Answer
Thanks for getting a touch.
The classification for an undetectable viral load is less than 50 copies. Therefore, you are still undetectable because your viral load is less than this. You’re doing well, and have nothing to worry about.
Hi I was exposed to Hiv 6months ago and only found out now…. Her viral load is less than 20 .. is there by any chance I might have been infected because I get episodes of fatigue, leg pain and have got oral thrush that’s persistent
Hi Simon, no this does not mean PEP is not working. How soon after starting PEP did you notice these symptoms?
As with all skin changes you should have this checked by a doctor.
For more information about PEP please see here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
Hi,I got exposed on 26th and went on to take PEP 48 hours later. But I feel like rashes are coming up under my skin because my shoulder,hands and legs are itching .Does it mean PEP is not working?
Hello my result from lancet came and they were saying <20 so can u kindly help me what does this mean ?again will I transmit HIV to my partner with these results if we have unprotected sex?
Hi Dudu, a viral load with this result is excellent. It means that you have fewer than 20 viral load copies in your body.
This means that treatment is working as well as it can and you are considered ‘undetectable’.
When you are undetectable and on treatment, there is no risk of you passing on HIV to your partner via sex. It is safe to have sex without a condom and you cannot pass on HIV.
This is called U=U: https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/
Hi Duma, are you on medication? and what has your viral load been in the past?
You have an excellent CD4 count. This shows that your immune system is healthy and HIV is not having an impact on your CD4 count. While you do have a detectable viral load it is still suppressed and the effect on your body will be minimal.
If you are on medication, how long have you been on it? It can take a few months before viral load becomes suppressed/below 200.
Hi.im worried my viral load is 2400 copies but cd4 is 900
Hi Peace, this is very good. It means that your ART is working and HIV will have less impact on your health. Did your doctor tell you the number of your viral load?
If it is below 200/undetectable, this means that you cannot pass on HIV via sex. This is explained here: https://i-base.info/guides/testing/uu-undetectable-untransmittable
the doctor say my varal low is good so i don’t know what thet means
Hi Ntswakai, you are correct. As your viral load is this low you cannot pass on HIV via sex. This is explained by U=U: https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/ Any viral load below 200 means that HIV is not transmittable.