> Viral load, also known as viral burden, is a numerical expression of the quantity of virus in a given volume of fluid Yes, in a specific fluid. Grandparent

> Viral load, also known as viral burden, is a numerical expression of the quantity of virus in a given volume of fluid Yes, in a specific fluid. Grandparent doesn't like viral load data coming from upper respiratory swabs-- preferring some kind of "higher systemic load" number. Well, there's no magical "real systemic" load. You can measure it in the nose; you can measure it (sometimes) in the bloodstream (but this is sporadic and small even in severe cases, though it has prognostic value in critical care). You can measure it in feces, etc.