Any diagnosis can be difficult and having two infections can be more stressful. We hope that the information here helps you feel more in control of some of the treatment related choices so that you can focus on other things you want to do in life.
Introduction
First questions
- What is hepatitis C?
- What should I do first after a hepatitis C diagnosis?
- Are people around me now at risk?
- Hepatitis A and B
Hepatitis C transmission
Natural history of hepatitis C
- Acute infection- chronic infection – end stage liver disease
- HIV and hepatitis C coinfection
- What does your liver do?
- How does HCV damage your liver?
- How can you protect your liver?
- Risk of HCV progression in HIV-positive people
New infections in HIV-positive gay men
Long-term coinfection from blood products or by injection drug use
Testing and monitoring
- Tests to diagnose hepatitis C
- Tests to monitor hepatitis C
- HCV genotype
- Liver enzyme tests
- Screening for liver cancer in people with cirrhosis
- Liver biopsy
- Alternatives to biopsy: measuring liver stiffness (FibroScan) and biomarkers
HCV treatment and management
- Who needs HCV treatment?
- How is HCV treated?
- Goals of HCV treatment
- Predicting the response to treatment
- HIV and HCV treatment for people with coinfection
- How response to HCV treatment is measured
- Timeline for HIV-positive people on HCV treatment
- HCV treatment and drug users (IDUs)
- Retreating HCV
- Management of cirrhosis
- Liver transplant in people with HIV/HCV coinfection
Side effects and management strategies
- Depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric side effects
- Flu-like symptoms, weight loss and fatigue
- Anaemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia
- Other side effects
- Liver toxicity and HIV drugs
Deciding whether to treat hepatitis C
Research into new drugs
Living with co-infection
Other viral hepatitis infections
Controversial aspects of HCV
HIV vs. hepatitis C: similarities and differences
Further information
Diagram: the liver and related organs
Lab results record sheet
References
Written and compiled by Simon Collins (HIV i-Base) and Tracy Swan (Treatment Action Group, USA).
Additional contributions and editorial comments are included from Sanjay Bhagani, Polly Clayden, Marc Ennals, Ramon Espacio, Loon Gangte, Charles Gore, Camilla Graham, Mauro Guarinieri, Marianna Iwulska, Robert James, Maxime Journiac, Svilen Konov, Luis Mendão, Silvia Petretti, David Pieper, Jack Summerside, Joan Tallada, Carmen Tarrades and Kate Thomson.
Design by No Days Off. Design assistance by Simon Hughes.
Additional thanks to the Hepatitis C Trust.
Funding for the publication was provided by Monument Trust.
HIV information dates quickly, please call to see if up-dated information is available.
Not-for-profit copying is encouraged or call for additional free copies. Produced by HIV i-Base.
9 March 2009