WHAT IS VIRAL LOAD?
Viral Load is the measurement of how much HIV is in your system, based on the number of copies of
HIV RNA per mililiter (ml) of blood. It is not the same as your T-cell count, which uses the number
of T4-cells as markers for the presence of HIV. Some researchers feel that the viral load test
is more accurate than the T-cell count at determining the presence and progression of HIV in
the body.
WHAT DOES "UNDETECTABLE VIRAL LOAD " MEAN?.
If your viral load is determined to be "undetectable", it means that the
amount of detectable HIV RNA in your system cannot be measured using the testing methods
available at this time.
IF MY VIRAL LOAD IS "UNDETECTABLE", DOES IT MEAN I AM CURED?
NO.
Current opinion is that, while some levels of HIV may not be detectable due
to limitations in test sensitivity, an "undetectable viral load" does not mean that
HIV has been eliminated from your body or that you are cured. HIV continually copies itself
in your bloodstream. So levels of HIV may rise to detectable levels again and again, even if
it is found to be undetectable following any given test.
Also bear in mind that most viral load tests only test the amount of HIV in the bloodstream.
Your blood viral load may be undetectable, however this does not automatically mean that
detectable levels of HIV are not present in your lymph nodes, semen, and rectal fluids.
CAN I BE INFECTED BY A PARTNER WITH AN UNDETECTABLE VIRAL LOAD?
YES.
Your chances of being infected by someone with an undetectable viral load
are perhaps smaller, but your susceptibility depends on a multitude of factors: the
condition of your immune system, number of exposures, recent immunizations (like flu shots), etc.
REMEMBER: There is currently NO CURE for HIV. Anyone who claims to have been
cured of HIV is not being honest with himself or others.
SHORT LIST:
- Persons with an undetectable viral load are still considered HIV+Positive and contageous.
- Some research has concluded that the lower one's viral load is, the less likely
he may be to infect others. The research is far from complete, and this does not mean
he cannot infect you... despite what he may tell you.
- Not all testing sites have access to ultra-sensitive test methods, therefore
"undetectable" is relative to the testing procedure used.
- Depending on the sensitivity of the test, "undetectable" could mean anywhere from 5 to
9,999 copies of HIV per ml of blood.
- Lower is better: the lower your viral load is, the easier your body can fight off
opportunistic disease.
- Viral load levels can be vastly different in blood, semen, saliva, mucus and precum. An undetectable
reading in the blood does not guarantee equally low levels in other body fluids.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON VIRAL LOAD:
visit http://www.metrokc.gov/health/apu/infograms/viral-load-1002.htm
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