How Can Viral Load Test Be Undetectable When HIV Was Tested Positive?

Posted on Sat, 10 Oct 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 10 Oct 2015 Answered on

Fri, 30 Oct 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi Doctor, My dad got tested for HIV before ear surgery and result said HIV positive and CD count is 481, when he went for a viral load test, it said undetectable. he is not given any ART or any treatment. how can viral load test be undetectable!!!?? I am thinking if the initial HIV test was false. help me understand here!!!

Answered by Dr. Suresh Heijebu (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Possible false positive?Repeat tests

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I can understand your concern.

This could be a false positive results initially.

I advise you to repeat tests with HIV DUO followed by ELISA at a different lab.

This will help to rule in /out earlier results.

Post your

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar