HIV-2 Viral Load Test done by real-time PCR Plasma at Maurya Labs Bihar can estimate the number of viral particles per unit of blood indicating the magnitude of infection and can help to assess the efficacy of treatment regimen. Almost all cases of AIDS globally occur due to HIV-1. HIV-2 is less infectious than HIV-1, with a five to ten-fold lower rate of heterosexual transmission and a 20-30-fold lower rate of transmission from mother to baby. An HIV viral load test is a type of HIV test that measures the amount of HIV genetic material in the blood. Testing a patient’s viral load can be used to diagnose an HIV infection, guide care, and monitor a patient’s response to treatment.

An HIV viral load test measures the genetic material of the HIV virus, also called RNA. A patient’s HIV viral load describes how many copies of HIV RNA are present in the blood.

HIV Viral Load Test may be used in patients with a possible or known exposure to the virus who are suspected of having an acute HIV infection.

The symptoms of an acute HIV infection may include:

• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Sore throat
• Rash
• Muscle or joint pain
• Diarrhea
• Headache

The HIV Viral Load Test is a simple blood test with no need for fasting before the test. The blood sample can be taken by the phlebotomist at a pathology lab.

Following should be the schedule for the HIV viral load testing:

• Once after an initial diagnosis
• When starting ART
• Within 2 to 4 weeks after starting ART
• Every 4 to 8 weeks until the viral load is suppressed and undetectable
• Once the virus is undetectable, every 3 to 4 months during the first two years of ART
• Every 6 months in some patients who have undetectable viral loads for two years or longer