Baseline measurement: The first time an individual sees their doctor about their HIV-1 infection, he or she will probably request two initial viral load measurements 1�2 weeks apart before considering or starting treatment. A CD4 cell baseline count will be performed at the same time. The decision about whether the person should or should not start therapy depends on their CD4 cell count and viral load.
Viral load measurement after starting therapy: Current treatment guidelines recommend that tests be repeated within 2�4 weeks after the start of therapy to check on response to treatment; additional tests should be conducted for 4�6 months, or until the viral load becomes undetectable.
Viral load measurements during therapy: Current treatment guidelines recommend a viral load test and CD4 cell count every 3�4 months to assess the effectiveness of treatment and see if it is maintaining a low viral load.
Viral load measurement when not on treatment: If the first measurements of viral load are very low and the CD4 cell count is very high, a patient and their doctor may not want to start treatment right away. If they decide not to start treatment, the patient should still have their viral load measured every 3�4 months. These measurements will tell them how well their body is fighting the virus on its own. Their doctor may recommend that treatment should be started if the viral load gets too high (e.g. greater than 5000�10,000 copies/mL) or has become 55,000 when measured by RT-PCR1
1. Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in HIV-Infected Adults and Adolescents, DHHS, March, 2004
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