1. Will exercise, nutrition, and other lifestyle modifications help decrease my viral load levels?
There is no direct link between viral load levels and exercise, nutrition, or other lifestyle factors. However, the CDC does suggest that if you eat healthy foods, you will stay strong and keep up your energy. This and more information is contained in the CDC brochure
Living with HIV.
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2. I know that an HIV viral load test detects HIV RNA. What is an HIV DNA test?
The HIV
DNA test, also call HIV Proviral DNA test, is a
qualitative test for HIV used to screen for infection in infants born to HIV-infected mothers. It may be used to help diagnose HIV within the one to three weeks time period (or sometimes up to six months) after birth.
This test is performed in babies because antibodies to HIV produced by the mother can cross the placenta and enter the baby’s blood. The result of the baby’s antibody test could be positive even though he is not infected with the virus. After infection, the virus enters the cell and replicates. The viral particles enter the nucleus of the cell and integrate with the DNA of the cell. This HIV proviral DNA now becomes a permanent part of the host cell. That is why even if your viral load is undetectable, you are not cured and the virus will still be present in the cell.
The immune system in babies is immature and, if they are infected by the mother at birth, there is not enough virus in the blood that is detectable. However, if the baby has been exposed to the virus, the integrated proviral DNA will be present and can be detected. An infant with a positive HIV DNA test is infected with the virus, while a negative HIV DNA test means that the baby is not infected (or may have been tested too soon after birth).
Babies born to mothers infected with HIV may be tested soon after birth with an HIV DNA test. If negative, the test may be repeated when the infant is 1 to 2 months old and again at 3 to 6 months old. This may be necessary as the amount of virus may not be at a detectible level.
If HIV DNA is positive, follow up tests such as a CD4 cell count and viral load may identify babies that could benefit from early treatment.
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