What is index value in HIV report?

The “index value” (also called the “signal-to-cutoff ratio”) is a technical term having to do with how this type of HIV-antibody test is conducted. Values less than 0.90, like yours, are definitively negative! Values between 0.9 and 1.0 would be equivocal or borderline.

Can my 3 month negative HIV test change?

Some people take longer to develop antibodies against HIV. Early testing could result in a false-negative result. It’s also a good idea to consider a repeat test 3 months after an initial exposure, or the end of the window period, and another 3 months after that to be sure the results are negative.

Can you test positive for HIV after testing negative?

A negative result doesn’t necessarily mean that you don’t have HIV. This is due to the window period. If you test again after the window period, have no possible HIV exposure during the window period, and the result comes back negative, you do not have HIV.

What does it mean when viral load is 0?

Having an undetectable viral load does mean that there is not enough HIV in your body fluids to pass HIV on during sex. In other words, you are not infectious. For as long as your viral load stays undetectable, your chance of passing on HIV to a sexual partner is zero.

What does it mean when the viral load is zero?

Can you test negative if your viral load is undetectable?

Antibodies are still present in individuals living with HIV—even people who have suppressed their viral load. That means people living with HIV will still test positive for HIV on an antibody HIV test even if their viral load is undetectable.

What happens if your viral load is low?

A low viral load means a person is less likely to transmit HIV. But it’s important to note that the viral load test only measures the amount of HIV that’s in the blood. An undetectable viral load doesn’t mean HIV isn’t present in the body.