What is HIV Viral Load and this is the explanation

Bumisuka.com – What is HIV Viral Load and this is the explanation. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is known as a virus that paralyzes the immune system. This disease can be transmitted through sexual contact, needles, blood products, or mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. The bad news, until now has not found a cure for it.

How to detect HIV? Without undergoing an HIV test, individuals cannot know if they are infected or not. How to diagnose HIV through the ELISA test, rapid test, or western blot test. Of the three, western blot examination has high accuracy.

Well, you may have heard the term HIV viral load. What is HIV viral load? Come on, see the complete information together!

1. Definition of HIV viral load

HIV viral load (VL) is the number of copies of the HIV virus in the blood. The way to find out HIV viral load is through molecular tests. This test is also known as a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT or NAT).

HIV drugs have not been found, but the administration of antiretroviral therapy (ARV) can suppress the development of the HIV virus. At the beginning of being diagnosed with HIV, the viral load rate in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) is still high. After undergoing ARV therapy, it is hoped that the viral load will decrease, even undetectable.

2. What is the purpose of the HIV viral load test?

Each examination has its own purpose. PLWHA undergoing ARV therapy needs to be monitored for their condition.

The report from the Student Journal of BK An-Nur: Different, Meaningful, Mulia mentions an effective method for observing people living with HIV who are receiving ARV therapy through a VL HIV test. In addition, the purpose of this test is as a guide for continued treatment after being diagnosed with HIV, diagnosing HIV, and knowing the progress of the virus.

3. When should you check your HIV viral load?

In the early detection of HIV, the doctor will suggest testing for HIV viral load. Reported by Medical News Today, people living with HIV will undergo routine HIV VL testing three to four months after undergoing therapy. This test is done throughout his life to adjust the treatment given.

4. What is the procedure for testing for HIV viral load?

Prior to the viral load test, the patient does not require special preparation. Health workers will take blood samples for viral load examination in the laboratory. The HIV VL test works by looking for the genetic material of the virus. Although the cost of the examination is more expensive, this method is more accurate in finding the HIV virus.

5. HIV viral load test results

If the viral load test to diagnose HIV, the result is negative or normal, it means that the HIV virus is not found in the body. Meanwhile, a positive result means that there is HIV in the blood and requires therapy.

Citing MedlinePlus, the results of the viral load test in PLWHA are three, namely undetectable, low, and high.

A low viral load means suppression of viral growth and successful therapy. On the other hand, high viral load means that the virus is growing rapidly, treatment is not optimal, and there is a risk of opportunistic infections. If the VL test result is less than 200 copies/ml, the HIV virus is not detectable in the blood. However, this status does not mean the virus has disappeared and is declared cured.

HIV viral load test turns out to have an important meaning for PLWHA. There are no long-term risks when undergoing this examination. Some people may feel pain after taking a blood sample and it will go away in a few days.