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.
My viral load below 40 , AND LOG VALUE 1.6 SO I’M IN TENSSION PLEASE GIVE ME ANS
Hi Keketso,
I’m sorry to hear that you feel scared to start ARVs. All medicines have a risk of side effects. And this is a real and common worry about starting HIV treatment.
However, most side effects from ARVs are usually mild. Within a few weeks of starting, most people find that ART is much easier to take than they expected. It usually becomes an ordinary part of everyday life.
There is only a small risk of serious side effects. It they occur, they should be picked up by routine monitoring.
It is easy to switch to another HIV drug. Sometimes changing how you take your meds can also stop side effects. For example, changing timing is relation to food or sleep.
Your CD4 count of 173 is low, and this can mean you are at increased risk of other infections. But the only way to help your CD4 count recover is to take ARVs. So it’s a good idea to think about starting ART now. It may help to talk to your doctor or clinic and tell them about your worries and concerns.
You can read about starting ART in this Introduction to ART.
Best wishes.
My vl.is 1000 is it bad am not on any medication my cd4 is 173 am scared to start treatment cos they say it make you crazy is there anything else that could help beside arvs
Hi Blessing,
Though your viral load is undetectable, (which is great)if you were to do a HIV test you would still test positive.
My viral load is less 20, dose it mean dat if l go for HIV test again it will be negative
When you say that viral load can never be zero, does it mean that God no longer do miracle?
Hi Chidube,
God has nothing to do with how a person HIV is controlled, its ARVs that do this. As long as a person has a viral load of less than 50, they are doing really well and their viral load is undetectable.
Hi Ntombie,
What the nurse told you is right, you have nothing to worry about. Your viral load is undetectable, so less than 50 copies. It will never become zero as this isn’t how it works. The main thing is that its less than 50, which yours is. This is excellent as it means that you’re really in control of your HIV.
HIV never goes completely, rather it is controlled by ARVs.
Hi yesterday I went to a clinic to read my recent results of Viral load and i was told and shown that my viral load is less than 20 even last year it was less than 20 and i am taking my meds everyday ,i am getting worried even though i was told by the nurses not to worry but I want to know what must I do to make sure that 20 is gone?
Hi Az, It’s great that you are undetectable with your VL under 20. Your CD4 has dropped only slightly, and CD4 counts can go up and down. Here are frequently asked questions about CD4 count. Questions about transmission and testing are already answered here. So getting tested is the way to find out if your partner is HIV positive.