HIV 1 - Quantitative (Viral Load) Test

Human immunodeficiency virus or HIV is the virus which is the cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome commonly known as AIDS. To test the amount of viral load of HIV in the genetic material or RNA of a blood a blood test is required. HIV is the most dangerous virus which replicates and produces more and more copies of itself and thus destroying the immune system of the patient. The main target of HIV virus is the CD4 cells which are the different types of white blood cells helpful in fighting the infections. In an early stage, HIV virus doesn't show noticeable signs or symptoms.

The HIV-1-quantitative-viral-load test is the common lgE blood test in which a small amount of blood sample is required for checking the HIV viral load in the patient’s blood. It is advised that patient should wear half sleeve shirt or easily foldable sleeves shirt on the day of test as blood sample are usually taken from the veins of the elbow. As mentioned above it is the common type of lgE blood test which requires no fasting and patient can carry on with their normal diet on the day of the test. Unless advised by the doctor, no fasting is required for the test.

The blood test required for HIV viral load is very useful as it can be used for early detection of HIV cases before the seroconversion of the virus. It is useful in the aid for the therapy of HIV positive individuals. The test is also useful in detecting the HIV positivity of the infants born to the HIV infected mothers. The test can be also used for detecting the HIV viral antigens. Apart from all these uses HIV-1 quantitative viral load test can be particularly used for the HIV viral load monitoring and for the HIV genotyping.

A small amount precisely few milliliters will be drawn out from the veins of the patient by the healthcare professional. For small children or infants blood can be drawn from puncturing the skin with the help of a needle.
• An antiseptic is used first to clean the skin surface.
• For the veins to swell up an elastic band is placed around the upper arm.
• A needle is inserted into the vein to draw blood and is collected in a vial or syringe.
The sample is carried in the vessel to the laboratory with your name placed over the vessel