Note: this site last updated in 2006 An article from "The
Molecules of HIV" (c) Dan Stowell When monitoring the progress
of infection in an infected person, we need to use tests that
can give us quantitative results: numbers rather than just a
yes/no answer. There are two main indicators used to measure HIV
progression: Some cheaper / less technological markers are used
in developing countries such as total lymphocyte count and
change in body mass, but HIV viral load and CD4+ cell count are
the "gold standard". Since the tests are quite expensive it is
important for scientists to develop cheap, easy-to-use tests
which can be used in developing countries etc.