Hepatitis A and B
After an HCV diagnosis it is important to check that you are protected against hepatitis A and B.
You really don’t want another hepatitis virus to complicate your health.
You should be vaccinated against hepatitis A (HAV) and hepatitis B (HBV), unless you are already immune to them.
In the UK, these vaccinations are free and available from your HIV or HCV clinic, from a sexual health clinic or from your general doctor (GP).
More about other types of hepatitis
About HepA and HepB vaccinations
All HIV-positive people should be vaccinated against hepatitis A (HAV) and hepatitis B (HBV). The immune responses to these vaccines should be checked once a year and boosted when necessary.
Vaccines work by generating an immune response to part of a virus. The effectiveness of HAV and HBV vaccinations depends on your CD4 count. The higher your count, the higher the chance that the vaccine will work.
If you are starting with a low CD4 count, and are at low risk for contracting HAV or HBV, it may be better to start HIV treatment and then be vaccinated when your immune system is stronger. You may also improve the chance of a successful response by using a higher dose of the vaccine.
Once a year your clinic should check that the vaccines are still working, and give you a booster vaccination if necessary.
There is no vaccination against hepatitis C.