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Co-infection with HIV

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More and more people with Hep C also have HIV. HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a virus that attacks a person’s immune system and causes AIDS. AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

Here is a brief introduction to HIV and some important things to know about HIV and Hep C co-infection (having two or more infections at the same time). For more information on HIV, visit www.catie.ca.

What HIV does

HIV attacks and weakens the immune system. Your immune system helps your body by fighting off germs, like viruses and bacteria. When the immune system is weakened, it is easier for germs to attack your body and make you sick. When your immune system isn’t working well, you can get sick from specific illnesses your body used to be able to fight off. Generally, if you have HIV and you get sick with one of these diseases, you are considered to have AIDS.

HIV is a virus that attacks a person’s immune system and causes AIDS.

When you have HIV, it’s important to have regular checkups with a doctor, so he or she can measure how much HIV is in your blood and see how your immune system is doing. That way you and your doctor can decide when is the best time to start treatment so that you stay healthy.

How do you get HIV?

HIV is carried in five body fluids: blood, semen, vaginal fluids, rectal fluids and breast milk. You can get HIV when these fluids get into your body. In Canada, this usually happens in the following ways:

  • through unprotected sex with a person who has HIV
  • by reusing drug-use equipment already used by someone who has HIV
  • mother-to-child transmission during childbirth or breastfeeding, if the mother has HIV
  • from a blood transfusion in Canada before 1985

HIV enters the body in many of the same ways as Hep C, so you can take the same steps to protect yourself from both Hep C and HIV. (For more information, see Staying safe.)

HIV Treatment

There is no cure for HIV, but there are medicines that are very effective at fighting HIV. These medicines can keep the virus from weakening your immune system and can keep you healthy for a very long time. If you have HIV, talk to a doctor or healthcare worker to find out more about HIV treatment. CATIE’s website (www.catie.ca) also has more information on HIV and HIV treatment.

Hep C and HIV co-infection

About 13,000 Canadians who have Hep C also have HIV. You may be co-infected and not know it because both viruses can silently cause harm before symptoms develop. The only way to know is by getting an HIV test and the right Hep C tests.

HIV and the Hep C virus have similarities and differences. The table below shows what these are:

Comparing Hep C & HIV

 

Hep C

HIV 

Transmission

Through contact with infected blood.

Through contact with infected blood, semen, vaginal or rectal fluids or breast milk.

How most people get it in Canada

Using drug-use equipment already used by someone else, particularly equipment for injection drug use.

Unprotected sex.
Using drug-use equipment already used by someone else, particularly equipment for injection drug use.

Testing

Antibody test looks for exposure.
RNA test looks for infection.

Positive antibody test shows infection.

Treatment goal

Treatment is available and may clear the virus from the body.

Treatment is available to keep the virus under control. You can be infected with a type of HIV that does not respond to treatment. This is called a drug-resistant strain of HIV.

How long it takes to treat 

Hep C treatment takes six months to a year depending on the strain of Hep C that you have.

Once it is started, HIV treatment is life-long.

How long it survives outside the body

Hep C can survive for at least four days and sometimes weeks outside the body.

HIV dies within minutes in open air outside the body.

Risk of re-infection

There is no immunity to Hep C. You can be re-infected even if you already cleared the virus.

You have HIV for life but can sometimes be infected with more than one strain.

Vaccine

There is currently no vaccine available for Hep C.

There is currently no vaccine available for HIV.

As shown in the table above, if you have either HIV or Hep C, you are at risk for the other, as both can enter the body the same way. HIV and Hep C are both blood-borne diseases, which means that they can be transmitted when blood carrying the virus gets into your bloodstream. Sexual transmission of Hep C is rare but the risk increases if you have HIV. Taking care to not use materials contaminated with blood will help you stay safe (for more information, see Staying safe).

Being co-infected with HIV and Hep C is a serious situation because it means that the chances of developing liver disease are higher. It also makes decisions about treatment for both infections more complicated. Because of this, all of the suggestions for reducing harm and promoting health are even more important for people who have both infections. 

Revised 2011.

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