Is Low Viral Load Contagious

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Undetectable Viral Load Infection and Superinfection (FINDINGS SUGGEST HIV CAN BE TRANSMITTED FROM MSM WITH UNDETECTABLE VIRAL LOAD 2009) (SUPERINFECTION, 2009)

Thanks for your comments and information about the possibility that people with undetectable viral might be able to infect HIV negative people and contribute to HIV superinfection, but is there any research revealing the actual numbers of such...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hi,No, we do not have reliable information as to how often this phenomenon occurs. As you can probably imagine it is quite challenging to conclusively prove that a particular strain of HIV was transmitted to an already infected individual. This... Read more »

Low Viral Load, Impossible to Transmit?

Someone we know has married an HIV+ person. His attitude towards HIV is very concerning for our family. He point blank, word for word said that it was IMPOSSIBLE to get HIV from HIM because his HIV is not contagious since his T Cells are low. (I...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

HIV, even with an undetectable viral load, is potentially transmissible. For instance, his blood-to-blood scenario would definitely be extremely risky! However, without very specific circumstances blood-to-blood, unprotected sex, sharing... Read more »

Low Viral load and Low CD4

My Viral load is non detectable and my CD4 is very low 77. Someone told me that this can't be and that my viral load should be much higher because of my low CD4. ...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello,With such limited information it's difficult for me to comment specifically. In general it is true that in untreated HIV disease as the CD4 count plummets the HIV plasma viral load often increases. I don't know if you are on... Read more »

Low CD4 and Low Viral Load

Six months ago, I discovered that I am HIV positive. My viral load was low during the time at 5,000, but my CD4 count was 128. Since these measurements were not typical, my measurements were taken about a month later. This time my viral load was...

Response from Benjamin Young, M.D., Ph.D.

Rocky Mountain CARES

Absolutely. With the repeated lab tests that showed your CD4 count at 200, it is time to start medications. The regimen of Combivir and efavirenz is very well tolerated and well proven. Good luck. BY... Read more »

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cd4 at 35 and viral load 521 advice please!!!!

Posted by poliwog, 5 Replies

I just got back my labs. I started on Combivir and Kaletra 6 months ago. My viral load was over 100K and mt cd4 at 90. Afer 6 months my VL wentr way down but my cd4 count is 35. I was given two meds to fight any possible secondary infections and... Read more »

cd4 or viral load

Posted by Lilly, 2 Replies

When starting to think about treatment, does either counts (cd4s or viral load) play a bigger role? My viral load has recently dropped, but so has my cd4's. My counts are all still at a comfortable level for me with no meds, but at the clinic... Read more »

DNA PCR Vs Viral Load test

Posted by sunkyst, 1 Reply

Does anyone know the difference between a HIV DNA PCR test versus a viral load test that's performed on someone already confirmed positive, obviously one is about detecting the virus and the other how much but are the methods used essentially the... Read more »

another ?--viral load testing

Posted by anxious, 1 Reply

following my pre-seminal fluid post, i was just wondering about the viral load test. i think its the "pcr" test you guys keep referring to on here. well, being as anxious as i am for a result... what are the stats on this test? how conclusive is... Read more »

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