HACT Viral Load

HIV requires a lifetime commitment to control. One of the most effective ways to monitor the effectiveness of your treatment is by understanding and monitoring your HACT HIV Viral Load.

Let’s explore why the HIV viral load test is a powerful tool in your care and how it can make a real difference.

What is the HACT HIV Viral Load?

Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HACT) is a treatment approach that uses multiple drugs to control HIV within the body. It measures quantitatively the amount of HIV in your blood and how much RNA of the HIV-1 virus exists.  A low viral load means that the viral load in your body is fully under control by treatment, so there is a minimal risk of complications.

HIV Viral Load Test: Xpert HIV-1 VL Assay

The Xpert HIV-1 VL Assay is the most sensitive test for measuring an HIV viral load. It is helpful to:

• Determine the virus’s response to ART and confirm or refute whether your treatment is working.
• Utilize reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technology to screen and measure the presence or absence and amount of human plasma or HIV-1 RNA.
• Monitor how an HACT is proceeding and plan for future treatment.

Routine tests aside from the HIV viral load test are:

• Complete blood count: It can give information in evaluating your general health, specifically infection or anemia, which is significant for people with HIV.
• Urinalysis: This is to monitor whether significant kidney damage is done due to the presence of the HIV infection.

Moreover, other standard laboratory tests related to HACT HIV test available at Medi Linx Laboratory Inc. are:

• HIV Screening: This detects either the antibodies or antigens for HIV that would confirm an HIV infection and direct follow-up viral load testing.
• Pre-Natal LabCheQ: It monitors the status of HIV-positive pregnant women, ensuring that the newborn baby does not have such a condition.
• STD LabCheQ: It is an all-inclusive panel of tests to cover all STDs and sexual health evaluations.

FAQs

Can I test negative if my viral load is undetectable?

A viral load that cannot be detected means that the virus amount is so low that the treatment is going well and must continue.

How frequently should I test my HIV viral load?

Your doctor should test your HIV viral load every 3 to 6 months, based on your individual treatment plan and health.

How long does It take for HIV viral load to rise?

Your HIV viral load can start rising gradually and require frequent testing to detect rising levels earlier so that they can make appropriate adjustments in your treatment and prevent additional complications.

Stay Proactive About Your HIV Viral Load with Medi Linx!

Monitor and take proactive care of your HACT viral load through frequent HIV viral load tests for only PHP 8,645. If you are taking a step toward your health care or having an executive check-up, we highly recommend scheduling a consultation at our laboratory in Quezon City. With the full range of laboratory services available, we ensure you are on top of your health.