Question
Is my CD4 count and viral load within the normal ranges?
12 October 2010. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load.
I am currently on treatment my latest result were: viral load 29 and CD4 count 431 is this within accepteble ranges?
Answer
Thank you for your question.
Your results are very good. Once you are on treatment the most important thing to monitor is your viral load which should, wherever possible, remain under 50 copies/mL. Some people get the occassional ‘blip’ where the viral load goes up a little bit and then down again. This is nothing to worry about. Your viral load of 29 is very good.
Which treatments are you on? Have you experienced any side effects? When did you start treatment?
For more information on CD4 counts and viral load please follow this link
Hi my vl is 7000 and cd4 is just under 500, I’m restarting on different meds but am I near the high risk of it progressing to aids?
Hi DW,
How long have you been on treatment? Viral load is usually reduced by 90% within the first few days of treatment. A VL of 150 is very close to the figure used for undetectable – which is 50. There’s much more info here.
But you can look here at the PARTNER study. There were no transmissions between serodifferent couples who did not use condoms. And for inclusion in this analysis, the positive partner needed to have a viral load below 200 copies.
Hey there, my VL is 150 as of Jan 4, 2018 an my CD4 count is 321. How long will it be til my VL is undetectable. I went to my doctor appointment Jan 18, 2018 he said everything is looking an my VL is pretty good. My question it my partner wanted to do unprotected sex will they get the infection
Hi Tonny,
Your viral load is undetectable and your CD4 count sounds strong. So it looks like your medication is working. But, at the moment, there’s not a cure for HIV. So HIV meds need to be taken all the time.
Many scientists are working hard to find a cure. It’s complex, but there’s more info here on the HIV cure puzzle here.
Hi my viral load is 40 copies /ml cd4 is 500 nw 25yrs with HIV + I’m healthy n how long will i take medication
Hi Nqobile,
The side effects that you’ve described should usually go within a few weeks. However, in some people they can last longer. If this is the case you may need to switch ARVs. You’ll need to talk to your doctor about this. Rib pain isn’t something that’s related to ARVs, so you should also tell your doctor about this.
Hi last month my viral load was 50000 and my CD4 count was 339. I started treatment immediately, its been a month. I have a headache nausea and vomiting what must I do? I also have rib pain.
Hi Joshua, this is a measure of how much HIV is in a small sample of blood. If you are not yet taking HIV meds, then the results is good. If you are already taking HIV meds, please speak to your doctor. In this case your result would be seen as too high and you might need to change treatment.
What it means to have V.L of around 7500
Hi Hope,
A viral load of less then 50 is what’s classified as being undetectable. When a person has an undetectable viral load they can’t transmit HIV to a sexual partner. As yours was 54 in June its very likely that its now less than 50. However, I would have this checked.