Question
Should I worry as my viral load now is about 60 copies/mL?
10 September 2009. Related: All topics.
I’m on TDF/FTC/3TC. My first viral load test on treatment was 42. My second was undetectable. My third, which I’ve just received, is 66. But my CD4 count is going up consistently (started treatment at 268, now over 500).
Is my viral load above 50 anything to worry about?
Answer
Very small viral load increases over 50 are usually either a blip or a lab error.
Blips are small temporary increases that go down again without needing to change treatment. They are normal part of low-level fluctuation. Lab errors are also common as the tests are less sensitive at very low levels.
It is important that your viral load is undetectable, as this is the main task of the therapy and means that the viral replication is well suppressed. You need to talk to your doctor though if you are worried, but I’d expect your next result to be undetectable again without doing anything.
More information about blips and increases is here.
More importantly, please can you check the names of your medications.
3TC (lamivudine) and FTC (emtricitabine) should never be used in the same combination because they are very similar drugs and only one of them would be active. IF you really are on these three drugs please contact your clinic straight away as they will need to change one of those drugs.
It would be more normal to use either efavirenz or nevirapine instead of either 3TC or FTC.
Hi Lee, you do not need to worry. A viral load of 59 is excellent. Your ARVs are working and you cannot pass on HIV sexually. This is explained by U=U: https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/
Viral load is considered undetectable when it is below 200 – even if you still get a number for your viral load.
Hi I just recieved my virul load results are 59 should I worry it’s been 10 month now on my ARV treatment and since then I’ve been preventing with condoms
Hi Monica. Without more details it is difficult to comment on your viral load result. Are you taking HIV meds (ART) and for how long? Please talk to your doctor about wanting to conceive. They can help in many ways and also know more about you, for example, your age and treatment history.
Hi I’ve just received my results and my viral load is 60 and secondly I am struggling to conceive suggestions please.
Hi Andrew,
This chance is zero. Please see the evidence for U=U here.
As you can see the PARTNER studies and Opposites Attract study had zero transmissions. All three studies used a viral load cut off of 200 copies/mL. So there were no transmissions if viral load was under 200.
Hello,I’ve been undetectable for the past 7 years with my result below 40 and 50 mostly. Today results was 60,what’s my chance of passing it to someone else?
Hi Nkosingiphile,
As it says on this Q&A above, a very small viral load increase like this is usually either a blip or a lab error.
Blips are small temporary increases that go down again without needing to change treatment. But you need to talk to your doctor if you are worried. If it’s just a blip, your next result can be undetectable again, and below 50, without doing anything.
Hello!
I’ve just received my results and my viral load is 63, is there anything I should worry about?
I’m on Tenemine and Aluvia
Hi Casaundra, You can read more information about being undetectable here. This U=U article lists the PARTNER and Opposites Attract studies – both studies reported no transmissions at under 200 copies.
I take Tivicay and Descovy. My last labs 6 mos ago was undetectable viral load. Todays result was 60. What’s my chance of passing it on to someone else?