Aa
pcr
I taken a pcr rna quantitative test at 22nd day of my exposure result came as below 20copies/ml. Please tell me what is this mean am i infected or I am hiv free really scared without knowing correct information of this result
Thank u insect101 now I understood from ur message that below 20copies/ml is also a negative result. Thank u very much for ur big answer. The result was taken in india. The lab technician said that u r free of hiv but I dint believe him because he was having very low knowledge about this test. So I was confused.
What is the viral load test?
Viral load tests estimate the number of HIV particles circulating in the liquid, or plasma, part of the blood. They do this by looking for HIV’s genes, which are called HIV RNA.
The result of a viral load test is described as the number of copies of HIV RNA per millilitre. For example, a viral load of two hundred would be written as 200 copies/ml. But your doctor is likely to describe your viral load using just the number, and that is how we talk about it here.
There are several different viral load tests, or assays, in use at the moment. These tests use different techniques to measure the number of HIV particles, but the tests are equally reliable at showing whether your viral load is low, medium, or high.
The PCR (polymerase chain reaction) assay is the one most commonly used in the UK. These can measure all subtypes of HIV equally accurately.
It’s now usual to use what are called ultra-sensitive viral load tests. These are able to detect viral load as low as 20, 40 or 50 copies/ml (depending on which test is being used). If your viral load is below 50, it is said to be ‘undetectable’.
For most people, reaching an undetectable viral load is one of the key goals of HIV treatment. It's important to remember, however, having an undetectable viral load doesn't mean that you have been cured of HIV. This is considered in a lot more detail in HIV treatment.
Copied from http://mobile.aidsmap.com/Viral-load/page/1254932
Viral load tests estimate the number of HIV particles circulating in the liquid, or plasma, part of the blood. They do this by looking for HIV’s genes, which are called HIV RNA.
The result of a viral load test is described as the number of copies of HIV RNA per millilitre. For example, a viral load of two hundred would be written as 200 copies/ml. But your doctor is likely to describe your viral load using just the number, and that is how we talk about it here.
There are several different viral load tests, or assays, in use at the moment. These tests use different techniques to measure the number of HIV particles, but the tests are equally reliable at showing whether your viral load is low, medium, or high.
The PCR (polymerase chain reaction) assay is the one most commonly used in the UK. These can measure all subtypes of HIV equally accurately.
It’s now usual to use what are called ultra-sensitive viral load tests. These are able to detect viral load as low as 20, 40 or 50 copies/ml (depending on which test is being used). If your viral load is below 50, it is said to be ‘undetectable’.
For most people, reaching an undetectable viral load is one of the key goals of HIV treatment. It's important to remember, however, having an undetectable viral load doesn't mean that you have been cured of HIV. This is considered in a lot more detail in HIV treatment.
Copied from http://mobile.aidsmap.com/Viral-load/page/1254932
RNA PCR TESTS Results
Wednesday, May 21st
HIV Testing
NAAT Test
Pooled RNA/Early Test
Question:
Hi ! Greetings from NEPAL ! MY RNA PCR Tests are done, though i know they are not conclusive and I need to do another test at 3 months mark. MY RNA Test reports says accordingly:
Sample provided does not contain HIV 1 RNA
=40 to =1.0 x 10^7 - HIV RNA detected above the linear range of the assay.
Now, my concern actually is though the test conclusion says sample does not contain HIV RNA but still it says 40 copies detected and also I have seen other people results through google where most of them had 20 copies, just in my case it is 40. So, does that makes any impression that my sample has quite higher amount of virus. Actually, I did this test for early detection of HIV, just to relieve my severe anxiety though I know I will need to regularly follow-up in coming days. I would be much grateful for your kind advise and guidance. I know you guys might not be in a position to interpret the lab tests officially but I definitely know that based on your experience you can provide me the informal interpretation or what does this results might mean ? Do I need to worry of those 40 copies.
Answer:
Hi there, thank you for contacting the AIDS Vancouver Online Helpline for HIV and AIDS related information.
Firstly, before I give you my interpretation, I would definitely suggest that you follow up with your doctor who can ensure that you have a good understanding of your results.
The information you provided looks to be a legend outlining the different possible levels of the virus that the test can detect. From your description it looks like your test result places you in the "<40; HIV RNA Detected but below the lower limit of the linear range assay. These results should be interpreted with caution" category, which is great news! I'm not sure if you understood, but this would mean that in your sample there were LESS than 40 copies of the virus per mL (as indicated by the "<" sign). People who are HIV negative fall into this category as they would have 0 copies per mL (which is less than 40). Viral loads under 40 copies per mL would not be detectable by a PCR RNA test. In fact there are no tests that can detect a viral load under 40 copies per mL.
With regards to the conclusivity of your test, when was your last possible exposure to HIV? The PCR RNA test is 90% accurate at 10-12 days post exposure!
I hope that answers your question, however I would still encourage you to follow up with your doctor who is qualified to formally interpret your test result. I might also avoid searching for information on the internet as it is very often unreliable or sensationalized. To help put your mind at ease and depending on how long after your exposure the test was taken, a negative PCR RNA test result, as in your case, is a very good indication of a negative HIV status.
Thanks again for contacting the AIDS Vancouver Online Helpline!
In Health,
Arne, AIDS Vancouver Helpline Volunteer
Wednesday, May 21st
HIV Testing
NAAT Test
Pooled RNA/Early Test
Question:
Hi ! Greetings from NEPAL ! MY RNA PCR Tests are done, though i know they are not conclusive and I need to do another test at 3 months mark. MY RNA Test reports says accordingly:
Sample provided does not contain HIV 1 RNA
=40 to =1.0 x 10^7 - HIV RNA detected above the linear range of the assay.
Now, my concern actually is though the test conclusion says sample does not contain HIV RNA but still it says 40 copies detected and also I have seen other people results through google where most of them had 20 copies, just in my case it is 40. So, does that makes any impression that my sample has quite higher amount of virus. Actually, I did this test for early detection of HIV, just to relieve my severe anxiety though I know I will need to regularly follow-up in coming days. I would be much grateful for your kind advise and guidance. I know you guys might not be in a position to interpret the lab tests officially but I definitely know that based on your experience you can provide me the informal interpretation or what does this results might mean ? Do I need to worry of those 40 copies.
Answer:
Hi there, thank you for contacting the AIDS Vancouver Online Helpline for HIV and AIDS related information.
Firstly, before I give you my interpretation, I would definitely suggest that you follow up with your doctor who can ensure that you have a good understanding of your results.
The information you provided looks to be a legend outlining the different possible levels of the virus that the test can detect. From your description it looks like your test result places you in the "<40; HIV RNA Detected but below the lower limit of the linear range assay. These results should be interpreted with caution" category, which is great news! I'm not sure if you understood, but this would mean that in your sample there were LESS than 40 copies of the virus per mL (as indicated by the "<" sign). People who are HIV negative fall into this category as they would have 0 copies per mL (which is less than 40). Viral loads under 40 copies per mL would not be detectable by a PCR RNA test. In fact there are no tests that can detect a viral load under 40 copies per mL.
With regards to the conclusivity of your test, when was your last possible exposure to HIV? The PCR RNA test is 90% accurate at 10-12 days post exposure!
I hope that answers your question, however I would still encourage you to follow up with your doctor who is qualified to formally interpret your test result. I might also avoid searching for information on the internet as it is very often unreliable or sensationalized. To help put your mind at ease and depending on how long after your exposure the test was taken, a negative PCR RNA test result, as in your case, is a very good indication of a negative HIV status.
Thanks again for contacting the AIDS Vancouver Online Helpline!
In Health,
Arne, AIDS Vancouver Helpline Volunteer
Below 20 copies means that HIV was not present for detection.. So it means most likely you are NEGATIVE, the CDC, AIDS CANADA and most advisors here on Medhelp recommend an antibody test at 3 months to make sure.. I been in your shoes, try to think about something else. Best of luck
Please be patient. Our volunteers are not available instantly all day. Please wait for an answer instead of repeating the same questions. Thank you.
Sorry vance I dint understood that howard reply. Please tell I am positive or negative ?
The result means the chance you have HIV is under one in a million. e combination of negative RNA plus antibody at 1 months will be 100% conclusive. In the meantime, stop asking about it. The replies aren't going to change!
In Google I checked that if result came as undetected means negative and if result shows in copies / ml means infected ......so I am worried a lot without knowing correct information about this test......."below 20copies/ml means am I infected ?
I want correct conclusion according to that test am I infected or not ? I am loosing my head with this confusion....
I had one of those test and it came back not detectable, but I had mine until 9months after exposure along with multiple Elisa test. I called the lab and they claim is very reliable. Good luck bro
Thank u. But what is the meaning of below 20copies / ml. In Google I saw this low copies can also be get infected.so I am feared
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