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 Kahlego,
A person only has a viral load if they have HIV. When you were given these results, did anyone talk to you about treatment? Did you also have an ELISA HIV test done?
My cd4 is 562 and viral load 1100 does it mean I’m positive
Hi Phil,
Are you on treatment? If you are how long have you been on it for?
My viral load is 104 is it good or bad.
Hi Thando,
Even though you feel healthy, you do need to start treatment. The treatment will help your CD4 count to rise and your viral load to drop. Please see here:http://i-base.info/guides/starting
Hi my Cd4 count is 350 and I’m healthy must I start treatment?
Hi Mandla,
This could be an error. However if your wifes viral load has gone from 25, to 208 it could be a sign that the meds aren’t working like they should do. Your wife will need to have her viral load monitored. Is she taking them as prescribed?
my wife’s cd4 is 780 and viral load 208,her viral load was 25 and after a month it went up to 208 is possible or there was an error
Hi Darlington,
What is your wife’s viral load? A CD4 count of 500 is within the normal range, please see here.
But if she has been on ART for two years viral load should be undetectable. That means below 50 copies/mL. If viral load is very high she should talk to the doctor because it sounds like ART is not working.
What HIV treatment is she taking? She might have to ask to change to different meds.
My wife’s cd4 count is 500 and her viral load is high and she has been taking treatment for two years now. Should I be worried, does it means that the medication she is taking isn’t working.