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CD4 and Viral Load Tests
You have probably heard of the terms CD4 cell count and viral load. The CD4 cell count is a measure of the number of disease-fighting cells in your blood. Your viral load is the amount of HIV in your blood. These 2 measurements are very important because they help your doctor gauge how healthy you are, when you may need to start antiretroviral medication and/or how well your HIV medication is working.
CD4 Cell Count Test
CD4 Cell Count TestWhen you become infected with HIV, the virus invades a type of white blood cell (cells that help your body fight off infection and disease) called CD4. The CD4 cell count test measures the number of CD4 cells in your blood, and is a good indicator of your overall health and how your HIV is progressing. The lower your CD4 count, the more at risk you may be for infections.The test can also indicate how well you are responding to your treatment: low CD4 counts may indicate your antiretroviral medications are not working. Healthy adults have CD4 cell counts ranging from 500 to 1450 cells/mm3; counts of less than 500 mean that your immune system is damaged. If your CD4 count is below 200, your risk of developing new infections or diseases is greater. CD4 testing should be carried out every 3 to 4 months at your regular check-up.
Viral Load TestBy measuring the viral load, or amount of HIV in your blood, this test can show how well you're responding to your current treatment and assess your chances of progression of your HIV infection.People living with HIV and not on antiretroviral therapy can have viral loads ranging anywhere from 1000 copies/mL of blood to1 million copies/mL. Someone with a high viral load often has a low CD4 cell count. If your viral load is greater than 30,000 copies/mL, your doctor may recommend antiretroviral therapy. A goal of this type of therapy is to reduce your viral load to the point where it is undetectable in your blood. Viral load testing should be carried out every 3 to 4 months.
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