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 Khanyo,
It means that its less than 50 copies/ML. And that the risk of transmitting the virus are close to zero.
Hi, what does it mean when your viral load results said lower than detected copies
Hi Zandile,
A viral load of 60 is nearly close to undetectable, which as you can read above is less than 50 copies.
How long have you been on treatment for?
My viral load is 60, is that OK?
Hi Cashney,
How long have you been on treatment for? When are you due to get your viral load tested again?
There is a detailed answer here about viral load results:
http://i-base.info/qa/6570
Hi.I got my results with a viral load of 4460 copies per milliliter and I wasn’t on treatment by then but I started treatment immediately after testing positive and haven’t yet gone for another tests.what does my result’s mean?
Hi Sarah,
Is there any reason why you aren’t on medication? Do you know what your CD4 count is?
Lots of people who are living with HIV don’t show outward signs of being ill. However, unless they are on medication their HIV will not be under control.
In 2010 I tested HIV positive. I’ve not yet started treatment. I’m not ill, why?
Hi PK.
A persons viral load will come down if they are on ARVs. This is the only thing that will take it to undetectable levels. This being when it is less than 50 copies.
A viral load of 1500 means that your viral load is detectable. Please see here for more info:
http://i-base.info/ttfa/section-2/8-what-is-a-viral-load-test/
Hi, when a viral load is 1,500 what does that mean? And how to prevent that high level of viral load?