Question
My CD4 is 500, VL is 1000, is that bad?
21 January 2013. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load.
My CD4 is 500 and viral load 1000, should I be worried?
Answer
Hello,
Thank-you for your email. Can I ask if you have just been diagnosed with HIV? If you have, how are you coping?
Both of your test results are very good.
A ‘normal’ CD4 count for somebody who is HIV negative is between 400-600. In the UK HIV treatment isn’t recommended until your CD4 count is 350 or below. This is because while your CD4 count is above 350 your immune system is still strong, and you are very unlikely to become ill because of HIV.
Your viral load is quite low, which is good. The viral load isn’t such an important test result unless you are on treatment already.If you are not on treatment then the viral load result is not usually used to make any treatment decisions. The exception would be if your viral load was 100,000 or above, which can be a reason to start treatment.
If you are on treatment the aim is to reach a viral load of less than 50. This is usually achieved within 3-6 months of starting treatment.
For more information about CD4 count and viral load please see our Introduction to combination therapy.
Hi Rose,
As it says on this Q&A, your viral load is low. But it’s not undetectable, which is lower than 50 copies.
Many people have had a viral load of 500 but this result is not used to tell whether someone is dying.
Are you on HIV treatment (ART), and has your viral load been undetectable?
Please let us have more info. Do you have access to your CD4 count? And what HIV meds are you taking?
Hi, my viral load is 500 am I dying.
My CD4 is 780 Viral load is undetectable am I at risk?
Hi Nomvula,
If you’re asking if your health is OK, then HIV wise you’re doing great. Your HIV is under control.
Hi Grace,
What medication has your doctor taken you off? Are you still taking ARVs?
An undetectable viral load is what people who are positive are aiming for. Once undetectable your HIV is under control.
My results recently showed that the virus was undetected in my blood and my doctor had to stop some drugs??, Is that right? He said my Vl are very good.
Hi Litmus,
Yes you’re on the right track. You’re doing really well. Your viral load is near enough undetectable. How long have you been on meds for?
My cd4 is 433 and my vl is at 53, am I on the right track?
Hi Ananth,
This is a very good condition. A CD4 count of 650 is within the normal range for someone who is HIV negative. And a viral load of 30 means it’s undetectable. Any VL under 50 is called undetectable. It looks like your treatment is working well.
Please see questions 7 & 8 here.
My CD4 is 650 and VL is 30
Is it bad condition?