 | ||
   | ||
Email
Glossary |
|
VL UNDETECTABLE. HIV TEST NEGATIVE?? Sep 25, 2004 IF YOUR VIRAL LOAD (AS AN HIV INFECTED PERSON) BECOMES UNDETECTABLE, DOES THAT MEAN THAT AN HIV TEST AT THIS TIME WOULD APPEAR NEGATIVE? |
||||||||
 |
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
 |
| Response from Dr. Frascino
 Hi, No, an undetectable viral load will not change the results of an HIV antibody test. These are two very different tests that measure two very different things. HIV tests (ELISA and Western Blot assays) are serologic tests, tests that look for specific antibodies in the blood serum produced by the immune system. In other words, ELISA and Western Blot tests do not look for the presence of HIV itself, but rather the antibodies produced by the immune system to fight HIV. Viral load tests, on the other hand, actually measure the amount of HIV per milliliter of blood (copies per milliliter). Even with an "undetectable" viral load, and HIV-positive person is still positive and will have a positive ELISA and Western Blot. Hope that helps clarify things for you. Dr. Bob | ||||||||
 Get Email Notifications When This Forum Updates or Subscribe With RSS
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
- If Your Status Is Undetectable, Will You Test HIV Negative?
- Hiv And Undetectable Status And Testing Negative
- Is A Brownish Discoloration Vaginal Discharge Means You Have A Std?
- Most Common Std's An How To Cure Them
- Penicillin And Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- What Are The Chances Of Getting Thrush From Amoxicillin?
Q&A TERMS OF USE
This forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not rendering medical, mental health, legal or other professional advice or services. If you have or suspect you may have a medical, mental health, legal or other problem that requires advice, consult your own caregiver, attorney or other qualified professional.
Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither TheBody.com nor any advertiser is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.
Review our complete terms of use and copyright notice.
