About AIDS

Understanding Viral Load

Since last summer, talk of "T-cell counts" has given way to conversations, questions, and some confusion about viral load. So what is viral load and what does it matter for people living with HIV and for their health care teams?

Viral load is a measurement of HIV particles (viruses) in blood and reflects the current activity of HIV in the body. A high viral load correlates with an aggressive assault by HIV on the immune system. This suggests a decline in the ability of the immune system to guard the body against opportunistic disease. The outcome of this disease progression can be poorer health and well-being, and shortened life. The treatment response to this viral assault on the immune system is antiviral therapy. Currently, there are 10 antivirals available for use in combination to reduce viral activity. Viral load testing provides the patient and the health care team with information about the effectiveness of the anti-HIV medications the patient is taking. In many people living with HIV, the reduction in viral activity has resulted in improved immune function and health.

The mention of "viral load" prompts many questions. What is a high or low viral load? How should the results be used to make anti-viral treatment decisions? How often should one test? What is the meaning of an increase or decrease? How is viral load related to progression? How is treatment success or failure evaluated using viral load test results? What is the relationship of T-cell counts and viral load? Since "non-detectable" doesn't mean all HIV in the body is destroyed, what does it mean?

For answers to these questions and many others, people living with HIV disease, health and social service providers, and other interested persons are invited to a presentation by Dr. Dwight DuBois, "Understanding Viral Load: Current Use in HIV Treatment Decisions." The program, which will provide ample time for question and answer from the audience, will be presented at St. David's Hospital Conference Room, 900 E. 32nd, Saturday, May 3, 10am-noon. There is no cost for this event, and parking is free. CEUs for nurses are pending. Interpretation for the deaf will be provided with advance request by calling before May 1. Dr. DuBois, an infectious disease specialist and HIV/AIDS researcher, is the founder of Cenetron Diagnostics, a laboratory which performs viral load assays in Central Texas.

For information or questions, call Sylvia Lopez at 406-6162.