HIV Viral Load

• HIV viral load is a measure of the number of HIV RNA copies found in 1 mL of blood.
• An “undetectable” viral load is usually <20-40 HIV RNA copies/mL, depending on the type of test used.
• A viral load above 10,000 HIV RNA copies/mL is an indication of HIV disease progression. The higher the viral load, the faster the disease is progressing.
• Any continuous increase in viral load suggests low efficacy of the anti-HIV medications the patient is taking. Physicians use viral load measures to determine if and when to change HAART regimens.
• High viral loads have been associated with the development of oral lesions.

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Related Pages

• Medical Disorders
  • AIDS and HIV Disease
• Oral Health Care Considerations
  • AIDS and HIV Disease
• Medications
  • Anti-Retroviral Therapy
• Laboratory Values
  • CD4 Cell Count
• Classifications and Definitions
  • AIDS
  • HIV Disease

References/Websites

• References
  • Revised Surveillance Case Definition for HIV Infection — United States, 2014. MMWR. 2014;63(RR03:1-10)
  • Screening fo HIV infection.Screening. US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. June 11, 2019.
• Websites
  • FDA-Approved HIV Medications. Febrauary 8, 2021.
  • HIV testing, Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). June 9, 2020.
  • Terms, Definitions, and Calculations Used in CDC HIV Surveillance Publications. October 30, 2019.