Question
My viral load is 50, is this OK?
15 July 2019. Related: All topics.
I’ve just been told that my viral load is 50 copies m/L. Does this mean that I’m doing OK?
Answer
Thanks for getting in touch.
Yes a viral load of 50 is OK. Actually it’s excellent. It means that you’re undetectable and your HIV is under control
Hi Ntombifuthi, it is great that you have a suppressed viral load. How long have you been on treatment? A CD4 count this low means HIV has caused damage to your immune system. Being on treatment will help this recover. A normal CD4 count is between 430 and 1690. Recovery of CD4 count can be slow, it can take a couple of years but it steadily increase. How is your health currently? While your CD4 count is lower you are at risk of other illnesses. Have you been offered another medication called co-trimoxazole (a.k.a. Septin/Bactrim). This is medication used to prevent other infections while your CD4 count recovers and helps out your immune system.
Hi,my viral load is less than 50,but i received a call from my nurse telling that my cd4 count is 67…what does that mean?
Hi Nonhlanhla, your partner is fine. Viral load below 200 is considered undetectable. At 25.6 you are well below this. When undetectable you cannot transmit HIV via sex. Have you heard of U=U? This link can explain it further: https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/
Hi I just found how that my viral load is 25.6, so I’m worried if I have infected my partner
Hi Dee,
The research that was done with regards to being undetectable and transmission, so the PARTNER study was undertaken with people who had a viral load of less than 200. Therefore, there’s no risk to your partner. Also, if you’ve been undetectable for 10 years then this is possibly a lab error. Are you able to have another viral load test?
hi
i just had my routine blood test and my viral load was detectable 128copies i have been having un protected sex am so worried if i infected my partner. it has been undetectable for the last 10yrs .now i decided not to use condom as am trying to conceive is detectable am so scared now if i infected my partner. we’ve had unprotected sex 4 times should i stop worying i had another blood test but dont have the result yet
Hi Dexter,
Please see this link to your earlier comment.
I’m sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis. If you have just been diagnosed this can be a difficult time.
But please take time… There’s more info at this link to a Q&A about if you’ve just found out you’re HIV positive.
I’m just 26 years old.. I Recently found out that am hiv positive pls i need advice
Hi Lucas,
Missing just one dose will not be a problem. Most people will miss a dose occasionally.
What HIV meds (ARVs) are you taking? And do you have access to your viral load and CD4 count results? Please let us know.
I forgot my keys at work therefore I can’t get my medication for tonight and I’m on my 3th months will I survive