HIV Viral Load Test Definitions, from AIDSmeds.com

HIV-1 RNA, PCR

This is your viral load count. HIV-1 is the most common type of HIV outside of Africa (where HIV-2 is most prevelant). RNA is the virus's genetic material which the test looks for. PCR tells you that in this case, this is the Amplicor test. If you saw bDNA in the test name, then it would be the Quantiplex test.

LOG COPIES/ML

A log is a mathematical term that is difficult to explain. Scientists find that translating viral load counts into logs is an easier way to compare them, especially since the counts can sometimes be very large numbers. For those interested, a log is the number of times ten must be multiplied with itself to equal a certain number, in this case, your viral load count. For example, a viral load count of 100,000 is "log 5" because it is equal to 10 x 10 x 10 x 10 x 10. Logs are used to measure changes in viral load. For example, a reduction in viral load from 100,000 to 1,000 is a two log (or 99 percent) reduction.