A key indicator in the fight against HIV
What is Viral Load?
📊 What is viral load?
Viral load is the amount of HIV present in the blood of a person living with HIV. It helps determine whether the virus is active and whether treatment is working.
🔍 Why is it important?
When viral load is high, the virus is actively replicating, which can weaken the immune system.
When it is undetectable, the virus is present at such low levels that tests cannot detect it.
A person with an undetectable viral load stays healthy and does not transmit HIV to partners (U=U).
💊 How is viral load controlled?
With antiretroviral treatment (ARV), viral load can be reduced to undetectable levels. But:
- Treatment must be taken every day, without missing doses.
- Good medical follow-up is essential to monitor viral load.
- Regular testing and adherence help maintain an undetectable status.
🔗 To learn more
Viral load testing and adherence to ARV are central to HIV control.