Q and A

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

Answer: Simon Collins

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. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Rhoda,

    Please see the above post and Q8 here:

    http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions

  2. Rhoda •

    Hi
    I just checked myself at the clinic and my obtained value is 0.66, am I at risk here?

  3. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Ritesh,

    Please see Q’s 1 and 8 here:

    http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions

  4. ritesh •

    I have done sex with a prostitute 2 months earlier while having sex with her I used condom. and on firday 28 july 2017 I have done my hiv test which is non reactive 0.18 so does it mean that i’m negative, is it confirm.shall I do any other test plz doctor rply me i’m in mental stress??

  5. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Varun,

    Please see Q’s 1 and here:

    http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions

  6. Varun •

    I need to know whether the 0.90 result is dangerous as i want to apply for a student visa for Canada

  7. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Sandy,

    Please see Q’s 1 and 8 here:

    http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions

  8. sandy •

    Hiiii…dear sir im done DUO fourth generation hiv test After 35 days of exposure..and result is non reactive value is 0.31 S/CO.
    Also p24 antigen(ELFA) detection is negative.
    And also Real time PCR test done for hiv 2 RT qualitative and result is not detected.
    And also Real time pcr test done for hiv 1 it results are not detectable virus..
    So what i am 100% hiv negative. And if im 100% hiv negative then why fouth generation test display valur 0.31 S/CO.
    Pleade explain…
    Thank you.
    So what i can

  9. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Imran,

    A HIV test result of 1.1 implies that you are HIV positive. If this hasn’t been confirmed to you, then this will need to be done. If it’s confirmed that you are positive, please get back in touch.

    If you are HIV positive, then you could have problems when apply for a visa for Saudi Arabia. This is because you need to provide a negative test results when wishing to apply for a work visa or residency. Saudi Arabia has also been known to deport people who are living with HIV. For more info, please see here:

    http://www.hivrestrictions.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=153

  10. Imran •

    I have been through medical test and my result is 1.1 for HIV. What does that mean? I’m applying for Saudi Arabia visa, will this affect the process?