viral load

[runsincircles]

I know vl is not important unless you're treating, but I've also read that transmission depends on viral load.  Does this mean I'm more likely to transmit hcv to someone else if I have a high viral load or am I interpreting that wrong?

[runsincircles]

Thanks that must have been it.  I keep reading that VL means nothing unless you are treating.  However, I have ebv, which causes the hcv to replicate.  I figure there's gotta be a point where high VL gets dangerous.  

[mikesimon]

A high HCV viral load is associated with a greater likelihood of vertical transmission - mother to child.
Other than vertical transmission I have not seen anything which suggests a higher HCV transmission risk associated with a high viral load.

Mike

[pooh55811]

I found this article which indicates high viral load is a factor in maternal to baby transmission before birth(verticle transmission).

http://hepatitiscresearchandnewsupdates.blogspot.com/2011/06/viral-load-tied-to-vertical.html

I could not find anything else about high viral load affecting transmission.