Q and A

Question

What does the number on my HIV test result mean?

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

  1. Saif

    One month ago i went to a clinic and i sad i need to test my hiv they took my blood and gave me a report of showing negative is there any other test also to get accurate result or the same test will be done after 3 to 6 weeks?

  2. Simon Collins

    Hi Saif, the clinic is giving you good advice. You just need to wait a few weeks for the seocnd tst. Please also see question I at this link:
    http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions

  3. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Renuka,

    A result of less than 1.0 means that a person does not have HIV.

  4. Renuka

    My HIV report shows value of 0.166 …. In Notes it is mentioned as HIV I p24 antigen, Envelope proteins gp41, C terminus of gp120 for HIV 1, gp 36 for HIV II. HIV I p24 antibodies. Kindly please tell me what is it ?????

  5. Simon Collins

    Hi Bernie, this service is only about HIV, but it is likely that the sae has the same significance for other tests. Please see questions 1 and 8 at this link for more info:
    http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions

  6. Bernie

    I had a similar result both for HIV (.12 s/co), HBsAg negative (.32) antibody against hepC negative (.75) … but what does that mean? When you check your hemoglobin you get a gram per deciliter result. Serology results indicate the amount of antibodies that reacted to the antigen?

    Sorry for the long question.

  7. Simon Collins

    Hi Sal, your doctor needs to talk about your results. The answer above explains what the number means. As a number higher than 1.0 (ie like your result) means that you need a second test to find out whether this is really HIV positive.

  8. Sai

    I tested for hiv but I got report like this 1:80 ….I am unable to understand .pls give me conclusion

  9. Simon Collins

    Hi Henry, it sounds like the test might need to be repeated. Please qee question 1 at this link:
    http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions

  10. Simon Collins

    Hi Henry, Please see question 1 at this link:
    http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions