Quick guide to test results
CD4 counts
l Between 500 and 1200 = usual for people who don’t have HIV
l Above 350 = HIV treatment isn’t usually recommended
l Below 350 = HIV treatment is recommended
lBelow 200 = there is a higher risk of illnesses and infections, so HIV treatment is recommended
Your doctor may give your CD4 results as a percentage
l Above 29% = similar to a CD4 count of above 500
l Below 14% = similar to a CD4 count of below 200
Viral load
l Between 100,000 and 1 million = high
l Below 10,000 = for people with HIV not on treatment, this is low
l Below 50 = known as an ‘undetectable’ viral load. The aim of HIV treatment
is to have an undetectable viral load.
(infograph source: NAM aidsmap www.aidsmap.com)