Q and A

Question

My viral load is 20, is this OK?

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.

151 comments

  1. Az

    Hi doc, when i was newly diagnosed last year my VL is bout 4500 and cd4 is >500, and i has started treatment rightaway. After 3-4months on meds, my cd4 has drop to 450 and VL is <20(undetectable). Do u think that with VL count of 4k(when i newly diagnosed), i might infected my top partner?
    My cd4 dropping, is it a bad signs eventho my VL is undetectable?

  2. Roy Trevelion

    Hi Mary,
    As Lisa says above, the classification for an undetectable viral load is less than 50 copies. Therefore, you are undetectable because your viral load is less than this.

  3. Mary

    hi! am surely don’t know why is like that please i need more info on this” my CD4 is 246 and my viral load is 20.

  4. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Noluthando,

    If your viral load is climbing whilst on meds, this would indicate that the meds may not be working. This would require you to change. There’s more about this here:

    http://i-base.info/guides/changing

  5. noluthando

    hi Doc , my viral load was 956 now it’s 2700 yet I’m taking meds4 yrs now,will it drop I’m worried about this and nurses are telling me that I will go to regim 2

  6. Roy Trevelion

    Hi Jc, You can read about this on the question here. Have you just started treatment? Viral load usually drops very quickly when you start. CD4 counts generally take longer to recover.

  7. Jc

    I’m in need of a advice while my cd4 is 155 and my viral load is 264000. How long will it take b4 I’m able to recover to cd4 500 and viral load as undetectable?

  8. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Enhle,

    How long have you been on meds for?

  9. Enhle

    Im on arvs and i took blood for test ,my cd 4 count is 472 and my viral load is 2130 but i took my arvs accordingly,are the signs that arvs not working?

  10. Roy Trevelion

    Hi Meme, Yes, it is okay. A viral load of less than about 50 is undetectable. So that’s great. It sounds like you are doing well!

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