I showed zero symptoms for 10 years...most people show no symptoms until HIV turns to AIDS...you didn't wait long enough.It takes a 3 to 6 month wait after possible exposure to get an accurate reading...

I understand that regarding an antibody test, but I got a HIV RNA/DNA test which tests FOR the virus copy amount in the blood. This test is supposed to be pretty accurate regarding testing the VIRUS in the body. Not the anitibodies. Anyone have insight?

I don't but hopefully someone will ...I am curious now...

let me know if you get an answer, I had a rna test done and the result was less than 48 copies.. whatever the hell that means. Im pregnant and really need to know wether Im hiv or not

The RNA by PCR is conclusive after 28 days post exposure IF the test was performed correctly and IF the person getting tested is not a "non progressor" or "elite controller" of the virus. The virus multiplies rapidly after infection into the thousands and then tends to have a slow and gradual decline afterwords. "Non progressor" and "elite controllers" are rare people who have the ability to control the virus without any treatment.

I have been RNA negative for 15 years now. I had my three children.. thank God they are all negative, I took the medications while pregnant and after they were born they were given some medications also for six months. I am still RNA negative now. tell me am I HIV negative or positive?? I am so confused!!

What does the test result mean?
HIV viral load tests are reported as the number of HIV copies in a milliliter (copies/mL) of blood. If the viral load measurement is high, it indicates that HIV is reproducing and that the disease will likely progress faster than if the viral load is low. During treatment and monitoring, a high viral load can be anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000 copies/mL. Initial, untreated, and uncontrolled HIV viral loads can range as high as one million or more copies/mL. A low viral load is usually between 40 to 500 copies/mL, depending on the type of test used. This result indicates that HIV is not actively reproducing and that the risk of disease progression is low.

A viral load result that reads “undetectable” does not mean that you are cured. It may mean that either the HIV RNA is not present in your blood at the time of testing or that the level of HIV RNA is below the threshold needed for detection. Even though HIV may be undetectable in the blood, it persists in cells and tissues throughout the body as “HIV provirus.” HIV provirus refers to virus that has moved into cells and into the nucleus, where it has become integrated with the DNA of the host cell. This is also call “HIV proviral DNA.”

If you are not taking your medication as your physician has directed, your viral load may not drop as significantly as if you take your medication on time.

Change in viral load is also a very important measurement. A rising count indicates either that the infection is getting worse or that you have developed resistance to the drugs that are being used for therapy, while a falling count indicates improvement and suppression of the HIV infection.

I am unsure as to why they gave you an RNA test, as from most sources I know of, including the hospital where I work, RNA testing is usually done after the antibody test confirms HIV infection. The RNA test is used to determine the actual viral load. I guess it varies though.
(To the OP)

A negative HIV RNA test DOES NOT mean there is no active infection, there are false negatives and positives. You should request an ELISA test just to be sure. The ELISA test will determine if you have active antibodies in your system.
(To masiti)