Question
My viral load is 71, is this OK?
3 March 2019. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load.
I’ve just gotten my viral load results back, its 71, is this OK?
Answer
Thanks for getting in touch.
Are you on medication? If you are, how long have you been on it for?
If you’re on medication and you’re new to medication, a viral load of 71 is really good. You’re close to being undetectable. When your viral load goes to 50 copies. Your HIV will be fully controlled.
If you’re not on medication, then you may be what’s called an elite controller.
Hi Smith, sorry it’s not clear. Are these test results before or after treatment? Your viral load is very low. This means that your body/treatment is suppressing HIV. Though your CD4 count does show that HIV has damaged your immune system. Being on treatment will allow your CD4 count to naturally recover. Starting at 99 would mean that recovery would be slow but it will go up over time. While your CD4 count is below 200 have you been given any other medication? Usually this is an antibiotic called co-trimoxazole (Septrin/Bactrim). This is used to prevent other infections while you have a weaker immune system.
Hi please help me understand.
Tested in September 2022 and started treatment immediately. I took test before treatment they came back as follow.
Hiv1 log units 1851
RnA copies 71 cp ml
Cd4 cell 13.48 %
C d4 count 99 ul
My question is since I started treatment in September 2022 could the be change on my results if I do the again because of my employment my viral load and CD4 has to be normal . Is there s hope for me or I still have more few months to go to c the change . Please I will really appreciate to hear from u as soon
Hi Conoca, with a viral load of 71 you cannot pass on HIV to your husband via sex. As it is below 200 there is no risk of transmission when not using a condom. This is called U=U: https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/
My HIV is 71 viral load what are the chances of passing to my husband if we have unproctacted sex?
Hi Kathy,
If your viral load is undetectable there isn’t risk to your boyfriend. Please see here: http://i-base.info/u-equals-u/
Hi, I’m post op trans. I’m undetectable.me and my boyfriend decided to have sex without condom (not anal). There are any risk for my boyfriend to get Hiv?
Hi Silvester,
Please see this Q&A about starting treatment with a high CD4 count. This Q&A explains that UK guidelines recommend that everybody can start HIV treatment at any CD4 count.
This includes CD4 counts that are higher than 500. That’s because the START study showed that HIV treatment has important benefits for your health, even if your CD4 count is still high.
Do you have access to your viral load? And what does the doctor say about starting HIV treatment?
Hi , I am HIV patient for last 19 months . I had done the cd4 count and was 1340 and cd4:cd8 ratio 1.4 . when I will start the treatment.please advise.
Hi Bipu,
I’m sorry to hear about what sounds like a recent diagnosis. I’m not sure of your question, but it’s good that you’ve started HIV treatment (ART). Viraday is a generic version Atripla and you can see details of this here.
A viral load of 65 is low and almost undetectable, which is less than 50 copies/mL. What did the clinic say about this?
Do you think your weakness is a side effect of ART? Many people have mild side effects for the first week or two of ART. But this usually then goes away.
I am a hiv patent of hiv 1 test.viral load is 65.having Viraday from last three days.hiv detected only 9 days ago at Q R G health city Faridabad.feeling very week.