Q and A

Question

Is a viral load of 40 OK?

1 February 2018. Related: All topics.

I’m pregnant, and on medication. My viral load is 40, what can I do to make it lower?

Answer

Answer: Lisa Thorley

Thanks for getting in touch.

A viral load of 40 is excellent. This means that you’re undetectable, and that you can’t transmit HIV through sexual intercourse. It also means that there will be less risk to your baby.

You’re already doing the best thing possible by being on ARVs and adhering to them.

42 comments

  1. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi PZ, a viral load of 19 is excellent. It means that your viral load is being suppressed and that you cannot pass on HIV via sex (https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/). WIth a viral load this low it also means that HIV is not damaging your immune system.

  2. P Z •

    Hi my viral load is 19 l have been taking my medicine since 2011. What does it mean when my viral load is 19

  3. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Peter, having a viral load of 30 does not mean your treatment is starting to fail. What have your previous viral load results been? Tests are becoming more sensitive and this means that lower levels of viral load can be detected e.g., your previous tests could only detect to 100 and this new test can detect to 20. For this reason you could have always had a viral load of 30, but it is only now that it can be identified.

    If this is not the case and you have always had a test that could for example, detect until 20, a small increase like this is nothing to be concerned by. Small increases can be a random and normal thing, it could be that you recently had an infection or even a vaccine can cause small increases. These all return to normal with your next test.

    At 30 you are still considered undetectable and U=U can still apply. This is suitable for anyone with a viral load below 200. Significant increases in viral load would be considered above this value, something of which you are not close to.

  4. Peter •

    Hi
    I have been in Hiv medication for 25 years after being diagnosed with aids in 1997.
    My recent viral load test shows 30 copies. I have not missed or changed how I take my once a day medication. I m worried it’s starting to fail.

  5. Simon Collins •

    Hi Nikki

    Thanks – you are doing really well and this is a great response to treatment. Your viral load is still undetectable (less than 50 copies) and your CD4 count has increased really well too.

  6. Nikki •

    In feb 2022 when i check my viral load it was 30 now after 6 months in august when i check it was 21 and my cd4 count is 171 it was on 24 only when last july 2021 i was diagnosed with hiv. Im i improving or how is it as its such a taboo to talk to anyone i can share it. Please help me by a good doctor to understand it.

  7. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Toskotla, your viral load is great. It is not possible to pass on HIV via sex while your viral load is this low. There is no risk to them. U=U: https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/

  8. Tsokotla •

    My VL is 35 is it possible to infect my partner

  9. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Eta, it is great to hear that your viral load is this low. It does currently mean you are undetectable. As you have only been on medication for a month, to be considered ‘durably detectable’ it will be another 6 months. This is to ensure there is no point of rebound in your viral load. It is recommended to use a condom until this point but you are very unlikely to transmit HIV given how well your medication has worked already.

  10. Eta •

    Hi
    My viral load is 25 copies, I have been on medication for 1 month 3 weeks. Can my partner get infected if we don’t use a condom?

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