Question
What is an undetectable viral load?
27 March 2012. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load.
What is an undetectable viral load? I had thought it was less than 50 but when I got my results today mine was 42 (down from 82 last time). Can labs measure almost any level of virus these days?
Answer
An undetectable viral load means that the level of HIV in your blood is below the threshold needed for detection by this test.
A viral load test is a measurement of the amount of HIV in your body. The measurement is given in the number of copies in milliliter (copies/mL).
If you are on treatment, then your viral load should go down to undetectable level (less than 50 copies/mL). Once your viral load goes down, then slowly your CD4 count will increase, although not to the level before infection.
Since your viral load has reduced from 82 to 42, this is a good indication that your treatment is working for you. It is also possible for your viral load can go down further too.
Viral load technology has progressed during the last 30 years of HIV history. The tests have been greatly improved and tests used for research are even more sensitive – down to 5 or even 1 copy/mL.
All hospitals in the UK now routinely use viral load tests that measure down to 20, 40 or 50 copies/mL.
Hi Gian,
Your results indicate that you are not HIV positive. You will need to talk to a doctor about the rash.
Hi,
Recently have a RNA Viral Load count due to anxiety and stress that I might consider HIV symptoms such as rash and night sweat. My test result is “Target Not Detected” no number indicated if I’m correct the undetected count is 34 below but my result show nothing. And I also test for HIV test and show Negative. Can anyone help my my main concern is the rash appearing on my body. It is prominent at the back upper arms and upper legs only. Hope to received and reply would be appreciated.
Hi Thandeka,
Because your undetectable, the risk of you transmitting HIV is close to zero. Please see the results of the PARTNER study for more info:
http://i-base.info/qa-on-the-partner-study/
Is there any reason why you don’t want your boyfriend to know?
My viral load is lower than undetectable, my partner is HIV negative and I have been on ART for 9 months, abstaining sexually since I find out about my status in 2014. Now I am ready to have sex, but I don’t want to reveal my status to him. What are my chances of infecting him?
Hi Worried,
Being undetectable is fantastic. It really is good news. It means that the risk of transmission is very low. It also means that your HIV will not effect your birth choice.
For more on this, please see our pregnancy guide:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
hi I’m HIV positive and 11 weeks pregnant and my blood lab came back saying my viral load is lower than detactable..should I be worried or does it mean my baby is safe from being born HIV positive?
Hi Jay,
Even if you have an undetectable viral load you will always test positive for HIV. Therefore if you test at a new clinic it will be positive. Is there any reason why you’s need to test again?
If u have undetectable load and you change your clinic for testing. Will they find out that you have hiv?
Hi Chris,
Because you’re undetectable the risks of transmission are close to zero. Please see the PARTNER study for more info:
http://i-base.info/qa-on-the-partner-study/
Even if its close to zero, if you aren’t comfortable with having sex without a condom, then this is something that you should talk to your partner about.
I’m hiv undetectable, my partner is negative. Can he be infected by the hiv virus. The main reason for this he wishes to have unprotected sex.
I’m totally uncomfortable about this.