The Body: The Complete HIV/AIDS Resource
Sign up for free e-mail updates!The Body en Espanol
Home All Topics Ask the Experts What's New Connect Treatment Prevention Living
Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.

Ask the Experts about Mixed-HIV-Status Couples
Recent AnswersAsk a Question

 

definition
Oct 30, 2002

What does it mean when some one is told their HIV is dormaint(not sure if I spelled that correctly)

Response from Dr. Remien

I do not know what this means in this context since "dormant" is not an accurate term when describing HIV infection. Once someone is infected with HIV the virus is never dormant (i.e., totally asleep or inactive). The body's immune system can do a very good job of keeping the virus at very low levels which helps keep HIV from causing much damage to the immune system. (The main way HIV causes damage is by destroying CD4+ cells - the helper cells that help the body fight infections). However, the virus is always replicating. When someone is told that their viral load is "undetectable," this means that it is reproducing at a rate that is lower than the test can detect (this has to do with sensitivity of the assay used to test viral load), however, it is not "dormant."



Terms of Use
Please remember that this forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not engaged through this forum in rendering legal or medical advice or professional services. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.

Questions and messages posted to this forum are not statements of advice, opinion, or information of The Body, Body Health Resources Corporation or any sponsor of this forum. While neither The Body nor Body Health Resources Corporation regularly reviews posted content, we reserve the right to delete, move, or edit postings if we deem it appropriate under the circumstances. Visitors submitting questions remain solely responsible for the content of their messages.

Information provided by experts is general only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as legal or other professional advice. This information is not a substitute for professional advice or care. If you have or suspect you may have a health or legal problem, you should consult your own health care provider or your attorney.

Copyright notice.

global Toolbox

global Toolbox
E-mail this to a friendE-mail this to a friend
GlossaryGlossary