Viral load is an index that expresses the amount of Hep C virus found in a given amount of blood. The standard volume used to calculate the viral load is 1 cubic centimeter or the equivalent 1 millimeter.

Different tests available used to calculate the viral load also differ in the way they present results. The term “negative” or “non-detected” actually means either that the person may be free of the virus or that the levels found in the sample are below the limits of the viral load test ie. Normally 200,000 iu/ml.