Dr. Charlene Flash describes what a viral blip is and what to do if you experience one.
The following is a transcript between Dr. Flash and Karl.
KARL
Have you ever heard of a viral blip? What is it? What does it do? What does it mean?
Good news, I’ve got Dr. Charlene Flash here and we’re talking viral blips. Good to see you, doctor. How Are you?
DR. FLASH
I’m very well. Thanks for doing this.
KARL
What is a viral blip?
DR. FLASH
What is a viral blip? So, that’s a great question. So first let’s talk about what is a viral load? Okay, so a viral load is the amount of HIV virus circulating in each milliliter of your blood, okay? And so if someone has HIV, they want that number to be as low as possible because that means that their virus is under better and better control. The lower and lower that number is when that number gets to undetectable, which in most labs in the United States is under 20 copies, then they know they’re golden. Especially if you’ve been undetectable or have had less than 20 copies for six months or more. Usually we we’re skating high and dry and all is well. And you can breathe a sigh of relief that although you are still living with HIV, you’re not cured, but it’s under perfect control. It doesn’t have to be a constant worry, continue your medication. But the medica, but the, the, the, the, the virus is under complete control. Now, sometimes as you’re getting your periodic lab work, someone will encounter what’s known as a viral blip. That means that that level of virus, that amount of virus in each milliliter of your blood, it creeps up above less than 2030. It could be 40, it could be 50, it’s now detectable. I have a number there that’s not this less than 20 number. So the first thing is blips happen, don’t freak out. Right? The second thing is that unless the blip is greater than 200, I won’t, I won’t actually make a change to the person’s medication because blips happen.
KARL
What I’m hearing is blips happen as does life. First of all, don’t panic, but go see the doctor. Yes. And you know, I can say I had one recently and he was like, let’s get you back in in two weeks time and redo your bloods and see where it’s at. And sure enough, two weeks later everything was back to where it was. I think it was probably ’cause I was just incredibly stressed and traveling a lot and a bit under the weather, you know? But life happens. Dr. Charlene Flash, thank you so much for making the time.
DR. FLASH
My Pleasure.
KARL
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