Viral Load Measurement: Results
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Results
A viral load test measures how much human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is in the blood. The results can take up to 2 weeks.
Normal values vary depending on the laboratory and which testing method is used (RT-PCR, bDNA, NASBA). Viral load results are reported as the number of HIV copies in a milliliter (copies/mL) of blood. Each virus is called a "copy" because HIV reproduces by making copies of itself (replicating).
| Normal: | HIV is not detected in the blood. |
|---|---|
| Abnormal: | HIV is detected in the blood. Your health professional will compare your current measurement with previous values. |
If your viral load increases, it means the infection is getting worse. If the viral load drops, it means that the infection is being suppressed.
| Last updated: | March 01, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS |
| Reviewed By: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine, Peter Shalit, MD, PhD - Internal Medicine |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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