Question
My viral load is 500.
2 January 2022. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, Starting treatment.
Hi, what does it mean when you’re viral load is 500?
Answer
Hi, how are you?
Viral load is measures how much HIV is currently replicating within your body. The value can be well in excess of 100,000 copies. A viral load of 500 is very good.
Are you on any medication? Viral load is often only an important test when determining how well your medication is working. 500 would indicate that the medication is working well and it is likely to continue to fall. If you have started treatment recently, it is expected that your viral load will be undetectable within 3 months of starting.
If you have another question please get in touch,
Josh.
Hi my viral load was 121 copies now it’s 450 copies, what could be the cause?
Hi Darling, do you know what your CD4 count is? and are you taking treatment daily?
Had anything changed in your treatment between the time of these 2 tests?
There are some factors that can cause a falsely raised viral load. These include recent infections and vaccines. Both of these will cause a small elevation in viral load and will return to normal by your next test.
This can also be caused by a ‘blip’. These are random increases in viral load. It does not mean your treatment is not working and will not lead to any problems. When a blip is the cause, viral load will return to normal before the next test.
Viral load blip: https://i-base.info/guides/changing/blips
Another reason could be a lab error. Did your doctor comment on your test result? have they suggested any reasons? Do you know when your next test is?
Hi Andrew, having a viral load less than 50 copes/mL is very good – and it is also called undetectable.
This is the main goal of using HIV meds so I assume you are now on treatment.
This booklet contains more info about HIV treatment – called ART – and the choices you have:
https://i-base.info/guides/starting
I also replied to a similar email earlier if this was also from you.
I’ve just got my viral load confirmed as <50 – is this an healthy position ?
Hi Andy, even though it is not in the next week, it is still good that you know when you will next be able to have a test.
Using an expired test can lead to false results. Any test that is done when expired cannot be considered accurate. When expired the test should not be done and binned/returned to the pharamcist due to the risk of false positives. This contributes to the high rate of ‘lab errors’ that can occur with changes in viral load.
Dear Josh
Thanks for your explanation. I haven’t done another test and it won’t be possible before end of March. But I noticed on the results shared with me that the expiry date of the reactive used for the test was 17 December 2023. I wonder this may also lead to some false results.
Hi Andy, this is a large jump in viral load. Have you been offered a second test to confirm if this is accurate? The most common explanation for large jumps in viral load like this is lab error.
Viral load can sometimes jump up by itself. This is called a blip and will drop don to normal before the next test. As you have been consistent with your treatment this is also a possible explanation. Even on adherent treatment, a blip will not always be prevented.
Viral load blip: https://i-base.info/guides/changing/blips
Also if you had been ill, had a recent infection around the time of your viral load test this could also have caused a false increase in your result.
My viralload used to be under 50 copies. Now it’s 500 and well I have been taking my medecine regularly. Should I worry?
My virul load keeps on going up it was 178 last year this year its 396 what does that mean
Hi Zondiwe, have you had any more viral load tests other than these 2? Have you been on regular treatment and do you remember to take it everyday?
When you have had your viral load tests had you been ill or had a recent vaccine? These can cause temporary increases in your viral load. Do you know what your CD4 count is?