|
Co-Infection
HCV/HIV Co-Infection means a person is infected
with both the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus
(HIV). There are an estimated 400,000
persons co-infected with HCV/HIV. Intravenous
drug use seems to increase the risk of co-infection. ItÂ’s estimated that 60%-90% of people who contracted HIV from
intravenous drug use also have HCV.
HCV/HIV
Similarities
- High levels of viral replication
- Cause of chronic infection that can persist for many
years
- Most people do not experience symptoms early in the
course of infection
How Do HCV and HIV Affect One Another?
Because HIV diminishes the ability of the immune system to
fight off infection, it speeds of the rate of liver damage caused by HCV. This places the co-infected patient at a
greater risk for cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure than persons
infected with HCV alone.
One of the functions of the
liver is to process medications. It is
very important that those patients co-infected with HCV/HIV take precautions to
take care of their liver.
Hepatitis C and HIV Co-Infection
| 
