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 vl is 12664 pls what should I do because I defaulted for 3mnts.
Hi RkZ,
Your sister’s CD4 result sounds like Atripla might not be working unfortunately. Can she talk to the clinic about it? It might be because of resistance to Atripla. She can ask the clinic to test for this and see if different treatment would be better for her.
Hi,my sister had a CD4 count of 18 last year around November, then this year July it came to 13.
She is on atripla,from the history, she defaulted for about 3 years without taking the drug,after a long illness she was restarted on atripla.
Kindly advice,getting so worried.
Hi Malhobo,
No test can say when you were infected – unless you think this was within the last 6 months or so. See: early infection and RITA testing. This is not available in all countries.
But what is your CD4 count? Have you been thinking about starting HIV treatment (ART)?
You can read all about starting ART in this Introduction to ART.
Viral load of 37000 but I have recently been diagnosed. How long do you think I might have acquired hiv
Hi Sammy,
That’s great news because a viral load result of less than 50 means undetectable. Your HIV meds look like they are working well. Here’s more info on undetectable = untransmittable (U=U).
hi i went for a test and results came back as vl 20 is this okay or should I be worried?
Hi Karren,
If you’ve been taking your meds as normal, so daily, then a viral load of 13,000 is an indication that you may have developed resistance to the medication that you’ve been taking. You’ll need to discuss this with your doctor as soon as possible and ask them to repeat the viral load test. If its still detectable then you’ll need to change meds. There’s more about this here:
http://i-base.info/guides/changing
If you’re in a sexual relationship, until this issue is resolved you’ll need to use condoms, (this is if you have sex without them) as there is a risk that you could transmit HIV to a sexual partner.
My viral load is 13000 should I be worried I didn’t show anything for 10 years
Hi Sunil,
Your viral load is less than 50, therefore this is great news. It means that you’re undetectable. The HIV is controlled.