Question

Ms.cw remains antibody positive for HIV. Why don’t the antibodies reduce the viral load?

How does the lab assist the medical team in managing ms cw’s case of hiv and aids?

Answer 1

HIV stands for Human immunodeficiency virus.It is the virus that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome,or AIDS.If not treated HIV attacks the bodys' immune system ,specifically the CD4 cells(tT cells),which help the immune system fight off infections.

The HIV viral load test is used initially, along with a CD4 count to determine the status of HIV infection in a person diagnosed with the disease.Hiv viral load testing measures the amount of HIV genetic material(RNA) in the blood and reports how many copies of virus are present.

A HIV viral load test measures the number of HIV particles in a millileter (ml) of blood.Aviral load can include millions of copies per ml of blood, especially when the virus is first contracted.A low viral load indicates relatively few copies of HIV in the blood.

The HIV antibodies dont reduce the viral load 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 found in your body for 2 to 6 months.

Lab tests for viral load

When not on treatment the viral load can range from undetectable to several millions.For anyone on HIV treatment (ART), viral load should get to undetectable,This is defined as being less than 50 copies/ ml.

HIV Antigen test: The p24 antigen test can detect the p24 protein on average 10 to 14 days after infection with HIV .One drawback of this test is that levels of the p24 protein peak at around 3 to 4 weeks after exposure to HIV and are usually not detectable after 5 to 6 weeks.

HIV antidody test:is designed to detect antibodies to Hiv in the body blood or saliva.Antibodies are proteins produced by the body when there is an infection and they help to fight infection.If a person is infected with HIV, the body makes very specific antibodies to fight the infection.

Combination HIV antibody and HIV antigen test- This is recommended screening test for HIV.It is available only as a blood test.It detects the HIV antigen called p24 plus antibodies to HIV -1 and HIV-2 antibody tests can detect infections in most people 3 to 12 weeks after exposure.

Several tests can be used to diagnose HIV Infection.Most involve testing your blood.The preffered tests are antigen antibody tests.Combination antigen and antibody tests-These tests detect both the presence of virus (viral antigens)and the antibodies your body makes against the virus.

Periodic monitoring of CD4 cells helps to identify the kevel of infection in the body of the patient.

These routine investigations has to be assited by the Lab to the medical team in managing Ms.cw case.