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 Themba,
If about viral loads and CD4 counts can be found at the following links:
http://i-base.info/cd4-count/
http://i-base.info/qa/6570
http://i-base.info/ttfa/section-2/14-how-cd4-and-viral-load-are-related/
hi what is the different between CD4 count and viral load ,at the clinic they took my blood and it came back say HIV viral load is 95
Hi Agbemy,
If your viral load is less than 50, so undetectable, then no you can’t transmit HIV. For more info, please see here:
http://i-base.info/htb/32308
If, however you were having sex without a condom before your viral load was undetectable, then yes, there’s a risk.
l positive to HIV and on drug already which my partner is aware of but sometimes if we are to make love he asked for unprotected sex my cd4_766 can he contact this virus from me either once or twice of unprotected sex.
Hi Robert,
If you’ve been on meds since January 2016 your viral load should be undetectable. If this is the case, your wife isn’t at any risk. For more info, please see here:
http://i-base.info/htb/32308
I WAS DIAGNOISED WITH HIV IN SEPTEMBER 2015. I AM ON ARV FROm JANUARY 2016 AND HAVE CONTINUED MEDICINES SINCE THEN. I HAD A CD4 TEST IN OCT 2016 AND IT WAS 600. MY PARTNER IS PREGNANT. I HAD GOT HER TESTED FOR HIV IN JUNE 2017 AND SHE TESTED NEGATIVE. I WANT TO KNOW THAT DO I HAVE CHANCE OF TRANSMITTING HIV AND IS MY PREGNANT WIFE AND BABY AT ANY RISK?
Hi Concern,
When you gave birth to your baby what did the hospital say? What type of birth did you have? And how long have you been on ARVs for?
In the UK its not recommended that mothers who are positive breastfeed. However, the World Health Organisation recommend breastfeeding if someone has an undetectable viral load. They also recommend breastfeeding when there could be issues of access to formula and hygiene.
When you baby was born were they tested? Where they given medication?
Hi, I would like to know if I will infect my child who is on neviropine and I’m on treatment for 5 months now and I’m breastfeeding. Last time I check in July or August my CD4 count was 214 and my viral load is 500 test done end of August. What does is mean and can I infect my daughter?
Hi Bernis,
If you’re partner’s been on meds for a year its very likely that his viral load will be undetectable. What this means for you is that you can’t contract HIV from him. Please see here for more info:
http://i-base.info/htb/32308
Hi on the 23rd of June I had unprotected sex and later found out that my partner is positive
I tested a month later and the test came out negative
My partner’s cd4 was 762 but I’m not sure about the viral load
He’s on treatment, Atripla. On it for a year
What are my chances of contracting the virus?