viral load

[ vahy-ruhl lohd ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. the amount or concentration of a virus in a given quantity of blood, saliva, mucus, or other bodily fluid, often expressed as the number of viral particles per milliliter of the fluid: The droplets from a flu-infected person’s sneeze leave their viral load on whatever surface they land on.

   When HIV treatment is effective, the viral load in the blood becomes undetectable.

   The droplets from a flu-infected person’s sneeze leave their viral load on whatever surface they land on.

viral load

/ vī′rəl /

1. The concentration of a virus, such as HIV, in the blood.

Word History and Origins

Origin of viral load¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Where the tests fall short, the CDC warns, is with people who have the virus but show no symptoms, especially if they’re in the early stages of infection and may not yet have enough of a viral load to infect others.

From Los Angeles Times

My viral load has been undetectable for years, meaning I cannot spread the virus to others.

From Los Angeles Times

Indeed, in experiments with mice, IDO1 inhibition with these drugs reduced the transformation of B cells and therefore the viral load and the development of lymphoma.

From Science Daily

Government scientists are warning consumers to stay away from raw milk, citing research showing “high viral load” of avian influenza in samples collected from infected cows — as well as a disturbing cluster of dead barn cats who’d consumed contaminated raw milk.

From Los Angeles Times

Three days later, viewed under a microscope, the nasal epithelial cells - as they are known - taken from children were quick to defend against the virus and reduce viral load.

From BBC