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 Cindy,
How long have you been taking ARVs for? What are you taking?
Hi m waried my viral lod is 2500 bd m taking m meds every day
Hi Nokuzola,
As you know the figure used for being undetectable is below 50. But 57 is so close to undetectable that it is probably fine. You sound worried so you can talk to your doctor about your viral load test. Having another test will show if this is a very small blip or if treatment is not working. You can read more about viral load blips at this link. Blips can be caused by other infections, such as flu or herpes, or a recent vaccination.
I think my viral load is 57 and am breastfeeding is my child can’t be affected plz or should i stop breastfeeding
Hi Moleen,
Other than what’s in the above post, it means that you’re doing really well. Your HIV is under control and if you were to have sex without a condom you won’t be able to transmit HIV.
My viral load count results was 50 copies after six months its now undetected what does this mean
Hi Nelisiwe,
Some people when they are diagsnoed can have viral loads well into the millions. Therefore, a viral load of just over 17,000 isn’t too bad. Now that you’re on medication this will become undetectable. Your CD4 count will also begin to rise, though this rise will be slower than your viral load falling. There’s more info here:
http://i-base.info/guides/starting
hy ive jst started on my treatment on february my cd4 count is 271 and viral load 17295 is it bad or good?
Hi Phindy, Is your brother on HIV meds? If he has recently started HIV treatment it can reduce viral load quickly, but it can take a few months. But if he’s been on treatment for a while it can mean that his meds are not working. Is he very young? If so can you talk to the doctor about it for him?
my little brothers viral load is 35300 what does it mean