When you're first diagnosed with HIV, your provider will order several blood tests to determine the best treatment for you.
These tests will help identify the specific HIV virus that's causing your infection, plus check your:
- CD4 count
- Viral load
- Kidney and liver function
Your provider will also check for other infections (hepatitis, syphilis, etc.) and health issues that commonly occur with HIV so those can be treated as well.
Read more about your CD4 count and viral load below.
One of the most important lab tests your provider will check regularly is your CD4 (T-cell) count.
- This is a measure of how strong your immune system is.
- A normal CD4 count is between 500 and 1500.
- If your CD4 count is below 200, it means your immune system is very weak, and you'll be diagnosed with AIDS. You may need other medications to stay healthy.
Viral load (HIV-1 PCR) is another common test.
- It measures how much virus is in your body.
- The goal of medication is to make the viral load "undetectable," meaning the virus can't be measured in your blood. This doesn't mean the virus is completely gone but does mean it is no longer causing ongoing damage. If you stop taking medication, the virus will come back.
- Once your viral load has been undetectable for 6 months, you cannot transmit HIV through sexual contact, but it can still be transmitted through other forms of blood contact (like IV drug use).
You may need monthly lab tests right after your diagnosis.
Once your viral load is undetectable, you may be able to get your labs done every 3 to 6 months.
You should get STI tests every year or more often if you have new sexual contacts or are in a nonmonogamous relationship. Remember, if you have oral or anal sex, you can find a local clinic here.
If you have other medical conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension, you may need more frequent lab tests.
You'll need regular blood tests to make sure the treatment you're on is safe and effective and that you don't have any other related infections.
