What helps to identify the presence of active viral infections in the body?

Viral load testing is a key diagnostic tool used to quantify the amount of virus present in a person's body, particularly in cases of active viral infections. This test measures the number of viral copies in a specific volume of blood, providing direct evidence of active replication of the virus. High levels of viral load typically indicate that the infection is active and replicating, which is critical for assessing the severity of the infection and guiding treatment decisions.

In contrast, immunoglobulin testing primarily assesses the immune response to infection by measuring the presence of antibodies. While it can indicate past exposure to a virus, it does not directly measure active infections. A complete blood count assesses overall health and can indicate signs of infection or inflammation, but it lacks specificity for determining the presence of active viral infections. Similarly, T lymphocyte count provides insights into the immune system's status but does not specifically correlate with active viral replication. Therefore, viral load testing stands out as the most reliable method for identifying the presence of active viral infections.