Co-infection with HIV

Co-infection with HIV means having both HIV and another infection at the same time. The most common co-infection involves hepatitis C, a virus that affects the liver. Both viruses can be transmitted through blood contact, which makes co-infection more likely in certain groups.

When someone has both HIV and hepatitis C, each virus can affect how the other progresses. HIV weakens the immune system, which can make hepatitis C harder to clear from the body. Hepatitis C can also progress faster in people living with HIV. About 21% of people with HIV in the United States also have hepatitis C.

Understanding your co-infection status helps you and your doctor create the right treatment plan. Modern medicine offers effective treatments for both conditions. Early detection through blood testing gives you more options and better outcomes.

• Fatigue that does not improve with rest
• Fever or night sweats
• Unexplained weight loss
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes, called jaundice
• Dark urine or pale stools
• Abdominal pain, especially in the upper right side
• Joint pain or muscle aches
• Skin rashes or sores that heal slowly
• Frequent infections or illnesses

Many people with co-infection have no symptoms for years. This makes regular testing important, especially if you have risk factors for either virus.

HIV and hepatitis C spread through contact with infected blood or body fluids. Sharing needles for drug use is the most common way both viruses spread today. Unprotected sex can transmit HIV and may also spread hepatitis C, though this is less common. Healthcare workers can be exposed through needle stick injuries. People who received blood transfusions or organ transplants before 1992 may have been exposed to hepatitis C.

Certain factors increase your risk of co-infection. Using injection drugs raises risk for both viruses significantly. Having multiple sexual partners or a partner with HIV or hepatitis C increases exposure. People who have other sexually transmitted infections are at higher risk. Men who have sex with men face increased risk. Being born to a mother with HIV or hepatitis C can result in transmission during pregnancy or birth.

Doctors diagnose co-infection through blood tests that look for each virus separately. An HIV test detects antibodies your body makes in response to the virus or viral proteins themselves. A hepatitis C antibody test shows if you have ever been exposed to hepatitis C. If the hepatitis C antibody test is positive, additional tests check if the virus is still active in your body.

Rite Aid offers hepatitis C antibody testing as an add-on to our blood testing panel. This screening helps identify exposure to hepatitis C, which may indicate a need for HIV testing as well. Getting tested regularly is important if you have risk factors. Early detection allows treatment to start sooner, which protects your health and prevents transmission to others.

• Antiretroviral therapy, or ART, controls HIV by stopping the virus from reproducing in your body
• Direct-acting antiviral medications can cure hepatitis C in 8 to 12 weeks for most people
• Regular blood tests to monitor liver function and viral loads
• Avoiding alcohol completely to protect your liver from further damage
• Eating a balanced diet rich in vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains
• Getting enough sleep and managing stress to support your immune system
• Staying up to date on vaccinations, including hepatitis A and B vaccines
• Working with an infectious disease specialist who has experience treating co-infection
• Taking medications exactly as prescribed to prevent drug resistance
• Regular check-ins with your healthcare team every 3 to 6 months