Viral Load And Hiv Infection

Here's a taste of what TheBody.com has to offer on this topic:

Articles

HIV/Malaria Co-Infection Nearly Doubles HIV Viral Load, Increases Chance of Transmission, Study Says

The HIV viral load levels of an HIV-positive person nearly doubles when he or she becomes co-infected with malaria, increasing the likelihood that the person could transmit the virus to someone else, according to a study published in the Jan. 15... Read more »

New York City's Refusal to Use Viral Load Testing for HIV Diagnosis Will Not Prevent Infections, Opinion Piece Says

Despite the availability of a "reliable method to detect [the] initial phase" of HIV infection -- which is when the amount of HIV in the bloodstream, or the viral load, is highest -- most health care providers and the New York City government do not... Read more »

Researchers Compare Different Antiretroviral Combination Therapies' Ability to Suppress Viral Loads in Patients on Initial Treatment of HIV-1 Infection

A triple-combination therapy that includes the antiretroviral drug efavirenz is the most effective among two other widely used antiretroviral regimens at suppressing HIV viral loads for initial treatment of HIV-1 infection, according to a study... Read more »

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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 »

Can I be tested for viral load instead of HIV to see if I'm infected?

Just one more question. If am feeling really anxious about knowing if I'm HIV possitive and can't waid 3 months for the test can I be tested for a viral load to see if it is hight to indicate that I might be infected?...

Response from Nancy Breuer

WorkPositive, Inc.

Viral load testing is more costly than an HIV test and not a good way to manage anxiety. If the anxiety is eating you up--as I assume it is--then please do two things: get tested now, and get another test at 3 months. And see a counselor about the... Read more »

HIV+ "undetected" viral load and infection

My partner is HIV+ and has been for 7years-3 years he has been hiv- undetected virual load...I am negative. Can HIV be transmitted from someone who is positive, but is showing up virual-load undetected?...

Response from Ryan M. Kull, C.S.W

Columbia University's Health & Related Services

It is possible that a person with an undetectable viral could infect an HIV negative person. Undetectable viral load does not mean that there is "no virus" in the infected person's body. It is also important to remember that viral... Read more »

Is there a viral load range to determine how recent a person was infected with HIV ie, 1 month exposure > 12 months or more?

My husband was dignosted with HIV February of this year. We both went to the doctor this month for testing. His viral load is 658 and his CD4 count is 940. Does this mean that this is a recent infection? Can his body be controlling the infection and...

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

Rocky Mountain CARES

Hello and so sorry to hear about your husband.Unfortunately, you cannot determine the time of infection on the basis of either CD4 or viral load testing. On the basis of his low viral load, it would appear that he (or his immune system) is indeed... Read more »

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hiv viral load

Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies

took hiv viral load after 6 months exposure they did the old
hiv viral load not the one that can detect down to 20 copies
hiv viral load <400. would your viral load be over 400 after 6 months exposure? Read more »

hiv viral load

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

and Perhaps a Lifesaver?

By Paul Galatowitsch, Antonio Urbina and Timothy Law Snyder

Paul Galatowitsch is a health care consultant. Antonio Urbina is the director of clinical HIV and AIDS education at St. Vincent's Hospital. Timothy Law Snyder is a... Read more »

VIRAL LOAD TESTS VS ELISA

Posted by bura, 2 Replies

"The test can be used for diagnosis, because it can detect a viral load a few days after HIV infection. This is better than the standard HIV (antibody) test, which can be "negative" for 2 to 6 months after HIV infection." If the antibody test can be... 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 »

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