HIV Viral Load
Does this test have other names?
Viral load test, HIV-RNA tests
What is this test?
This is a blood test to measure the amount of HIV in your blood. HIV causes AIDS. This test should be done 2 to 8 weeks after you're diagnosed with HIV and then every 3 to 4 months during long-term therapy. If your treatment is effective, your viral load should go down in 4 to 6 months.
Although HIV antibody testing is widely used to find HIV, viral load testing can also diagnose the infection. Because the viral load test measures genes and chemical compounds found in HIV, it can find the virus in your blood within days of infection.
HIV antibody testing, however, may give a negative result until the virus has been in your body for 2 to 6 months. You may not show signs of HIV even if the virus is already multiplying in your blood. Because HIV has no cure, it's important to find out as soon as possible if you have the virus so treatment can be started.
If you're taking medicines to lower levels of the virus in your body, this test shows if the medicines are working. The more your viral load goes down, the healthier you are likely to be.
Why do I need this test?
You may need this test if you've had unprotected sex or shared contaminated needles and want to know whether you've contracted HIV. Standard antibody tests aren't as accurate as the viral load test because they can take up to 6 months to show that you have HIV. In that time, it's possible to infect someone else.
If you're pregnant, it's especially important to find out if you have HIV. Starting treatment right away can lower the risk of passing the virus on to your baby.
It's also likely that you will have this test if you've already been diagnosed with HIV. You may have the first test 2 to 8 weeks after diagnosis and again at 4- to 6-month intervals. The findings help healthcare providers find the best medicine to get your viral load down and keep you healthy.
What other tests might I have along with this test?
You may also have a CD4 test, which measures the strength of your immune system.
What do my test results mean?
Test results may vary depending on your age, gender, health history, and other things. Your test results may be different depending on the lab used. They may not mean you have a problem. Ask your healthcare provider what your test results mean for you.
Your test result is a number that shows how many copies of HIV exist in 1 milliliter of your blood. A normal count is a virus level so low it can't be found.
Low counts mean the virus is not highly active and your treatment is working. The higher the number, the more likely you are to become ill or show signs of immunity problems linked to AIDS.
How is this test done?
The test is done with a blood sample. A needle is used to draw blood from a vein in your arm or hand.
Does this test pose any risks?
Taking a blood sample with a needle carries risks that include bleeding, infection, bruising, or feeling dizzy. When the needle pricks your arm, you may feel a slight stinging sensation or pain. Afterward, the site may be slightly sore.
What might affect my test results?
The results can be skewed if you've recently had a vaccine, such as a flu shot, or if you have an active infection. Experts advise that you not have this test within 4 weeks of an infection or vaccine.
How do I get ready for this test?
You don't need to prepare for this test. If you're having this test to find out your HIV status, make sure you get counseling before or after the test. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines, herbs, vitamins, and supplements you are taking. This includes medicines that don't need a prescription and any illegal drugs you may use.
Kiwango cha Virusi vya Ukimwi Je, jaribio hili lina majina mengine? Mtihani wa mzigo wa virusi, mtihani wa RNA ya HIV, mtihani wa virusi vya virusi, mtihani wa virusi vya virusi, mtihani wa virusi vya virusi, mtihani wa virusi vya virusi. Hii ni mtihani wa damu kwa ajili ya kupima kiasi cha HIV katika damu yako. Virusi vya Ukimwi husababisha UKIMWI. Mtihani huu unapaswa kufanywa wiki mbili hadi nane baada ya kugundua kuwa na virusi vya ukimwi na kila baada ya miezi mitatu hadi minne wakati wa matibabu ya muda mrefu. Ikiwa matibabu yako yanafanya kazi, mzigo wako wa virusi unapaswa kushuka katika miezi 4 hadi 6. Ingawa upimaji wa antibodi za HIV hutumiwa sana kupata HIV, upimaji wa mzigo wa virusi unaweza pia kugundua maambukizi. Kwa sababu mtihani wa virusi hupima jeni na kemikali zinazopatikana katika virusi vya Ukimwi, unaweza kupata virusi katika damu yako ndani ya siku chache baada ya kuambukizwa. Hata hivyo, uchunguzi wa antibodi za virusi vya Ukimwi unaweza kutoa matokeo mabaya hadi virusi vikiwa ndani ya mwili wako kwa miezi miwili hadi sita. Huenda usionyeshe dalili za virusi vya UKIMWI hata kama virusi hivyo vimeanza kuzidisha katika damu yako. Kwa kuwa HIV haina tiba, ni muhimu kujua haraka iwezekanavyo ikiwa una virusi hivyo matibabu yanaweza kuanza. Ikiwa unachukua dawa za kupunguza viwango vya virusi katika mwili wako, mtihani huu unaonyesha ikiwa dawa hizo zinafanya kazi. Kadiri mzigo wako wa virusi unavyopungua, ndivyo unavyokuwa na afya nzuri. Kwa nini ninahitaji mtihani huu? Unaweza kuhitaji mtihani huu ikiwa umekuwa na ngono isiyohifadhiwa au umeshiriki sindano zilizochafuliwa na unataka kujua ikiwa umepatikana na virusi vya UKIMWI. Uchunguzi wa kawaida wa antibodi sio sahihi kama mtihani wa mzigo wa virusi, kwa sababu inaweza kuchukua hadi miezi sita kuonyesha kuwa una virusi vya UKIMWI. Katika kipindi hicho, inawezekana kuambukiza mtu mwingine. Ikiwa wewe ni mjamzito, ni muhimu sana kujua kama una virusi vya UKIMWI. Kuanza matibabu mara moja kunaweza kupunguza hatari ya kupitisha virusi kwa mtoto wako. Pia, ni muhimu kujua kwamba mtihani huu unafanyika ikiwa tayari umegunduliwa kuwa na virusi vya Ukimwi. Mtihani wa kwanza unaweza kufanywa wiki mbili hadi nane baada ya utambuzi na mara nyingine tena katika vipindi vya miezi minne hadi sita. Matokeo hayo yanasaidia watoa huduma za afya kupata dawa bora ya kupunguza mzigo wa virusi na kukuhifadhi ukiwa na afya. Ni vipimo gani vingine ambavyo ninaweza kufanya pamoja na mtihani huu? Pia, unaweza kupimwa kwa kutumia CD4 ambayo hupima nguvu ya mfumo wako wa kinga. Matokeo ya uchunguzi wangu yanamaanisha nini? Matokeo ya uchunguzi yanaweza kutofautiana kulingana na umri wako, jinsia yako, historia yako ya afya, na mambo mengine. Matokeo ya mtihani wako yanaweza kuwa tofauti kulingana na maabara iliyotumiwa. Huenda hazimaanishi kwamba una tatizo. Uliza mtoa huduma yako wa afya matokeo ya mtihani wako yanamaanisha nini kwako. Matokeo ya mtihani huu yanaonyesha idadi ya nakala za virusi vya HIV katika mililita moja ya damu. Kiwango cha kawaida ni kiwango cha virusi chini sana hivi kwamba haiwezi kupatikana. Idadi ya chini ya virusi inamaanisha kwamba virusi havina nguvu na matibabu yako yanafanya kazi. Kadiri idadi hiyo inavyoongezeka, ndivyo uwezekano wa kuugua au kuonyesha dalili za matatizo ya kinga yanayohusiana na UKIMWI unavyoongezeka. Mtihani huo hufanywaje? Mtihani huo hufanywa kwa kutumia sampuli ya damu. Dawa ya sindano hutumiwa kuondoa damu kwenye mshipa wa damu kwenye mkono au mkono. Je, jaribio hili lina hatari yoyote? Kuchukua sampuli ya damu kwa kutumia sindano kunaweza kusababisha hatari kama vile kutokwa na damu, maambukizo, majeraha, au kizunguzungu. Wakati sindano inapochomwa mkono wako, huenda ukahisi uchungu au uchungu mdogo. Baada ya hapo, huenda eneo hilo likawa na maumivu kidogo. Ni nini kinachoweza kuathiri matokeo ya mtihani wangu? Matokeo yanaweza kuwa na tofauti ikiwa umepata chanjo hivi karibuni, kama vile chanjo ya mafua, au ikiwa una maambukizo ya kazi. Wataalamu wanasema kwamba ni muhimu kufanya uchunguzi huo baada ya wiki nne baada ya kupata virusi. Ninaweza kujitayarishaje kwa ajili ya mtihani huu? Huna haja ya kujitayarisha kwa ajili ya mtihani huu. Ikiwa unafanya mtihani huu ili kujua hali yako ya HIV, hakikisha unapata ushauri kabla au baada ya mtihani. Mweleze mtoa huduma wako wa afya kuhusu dawa zote, mimea, vitamini, na virutubisho unavyotumia. Hii inajumuisha dawa ambazo hazihitaji dawa na dawa zozote haramu unazoweza kutumia.