Question

What does the number on my HIV test result mean?

15 January 2017. Related: All topics, HIV testing, HIV transmission.

I had an HIV test done and result was negative and non reactive. The result showed 0.04 what does this mean? Jake

Answer

Hi Jake,

Thank you for your question.

A result that is less than 1.0 means you do not have HIV. You result of 0.04 is less than 1.0.

The number is a more accurate (quantitative) way of measuring the result other than a simple, yes or no. If the number is less than 1.0 the result is negative,

if the result is above 1.0 the result is positive,

if the result is very close to 1.0, either higher or lower, then the doctor may decide a confirmatory test is required.

Any time you don’t understand a test result it is important to ask the test centre or doctor who performed the test.

The answer was updated in January 2017 from a post in November 2010. i-Base no longer answers questions about HIV testing and transmission. Please see: Questions 1 and 8 at this link for more information.

91 comments

Simon Collins • 22 August 2016

Hi Nick

Answers to questions on transmission and testing are already online at the FAQ page.
http://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing

or in this guide:
http://i-base.info/guides/testing

This includes the question about the number – which is also answered above in the initial question.
http://i-base.info/qa/3293
Nick • 22 August 2016

What does this mean ?
“HIV P24 antigen and total antibodies to 0.15 HIV 1 & HIV 2” ? Please explain
Its urgent
Simon Collins • 19 August 2016

Hi Karthik

Answers to questions on testing including about the number are already online at the FAQ page.
http://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing

or in this guide:
http://i-base.info/guides/testing
Karthik • 19 August 2016

I had an Elisa test before 2 months ago and it resulted as 0.090.is there any possibilities of having HIV virus in my body or should I do the test once again ?? Please answer me I am very much worried about this
Simon Collins • 15 August 2016

Hi Behrad

Answers to questions on testing including about the number are already online at the FAQ page.
http://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing

or in this guide:
http://i-base.info/guides/testing
behrad • 15 August 2016

Hi my result HIV test is 0.28, what does mean?
Roy Trevelion • 12 August 2016

The 0.09 result means that the test result was negative.

Most questions about transmission and testing have been answered here:
http://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Jitendra • 12 August 2016

I had an HIV test done and result was negative and non reactive. The result showed 0.09 what does this mean?
Roy Trevelion • 11 August 2016

A report that says non reactive and shows the number 0.09 means that you are HIV negative. But you can have another test if you think it’s not accurate.
Most questions about transmission and testing have been answered here:
http://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
babar • 11 August 2016

I have test report of HIV which shows is non reactive and 0.09 ? Can you explan me if it is showing the 0.09 it means I have a virus in body. And it can be increased or not. ..another if a normal man do test it is necessary that it will show same as my report. Can I do marriage and it can be transmitted to my wife or not.