Women & HIV/AIDS

HCV

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HCV (hepatitis C virus) makes your liver swell and stops it from working right. You can get HCV by:

• Sharing drug needles
• Getting pricked with a needle that has infected blood on it (hospital workers can get HCV this way)
• Being born to a mother with hepatitis C
• Getting a tattoo or body piercing with unclean tools
• Having sex with an infected person, especially if you or your partner has other sexually transmitted infections. This is rare.

Many people with hepatitis C don't have any symptoms. But some people feel like they have the flu. They have these symptoms:

• Feel tired
• Upset stomach or pain
• Fever
• Don't want to eat
• Diarrhea

They may also have these symptoms:

• Dark yellow urine
• Light-colored BM (poop)
• Yellowish eyes and skin

HCV infection is more serious in persons with HIV. It leads to liver damage more quickly. Having HCV may affect the treatment of HIV infection. So, it's important for HIV-infected persons to know whether they are also infected with HCV and, if they aren't, to take steps to not get it:

• Don't share drug needles with anyone.
• Wear gloves if you have to touch anyone's blood.
• Don't use an infected person's toothbrush, razor, or anything else that could have blood on it.
• If you get a tattoo or body piercing, make sure it's done with clean tools.
• Use a condom during sex.

Chronic hepatitis C can be treated successfully, even in people with HIV. But HCV can go on for years without symptoms. Over time, HCV can cause your liver to stop working. If that happens, you will need a new liver. The surgery is called a liver transplant. It involves taking out the old, damaged liver and putting in a new, healthy one from a donor. Liver transplant is possible for some people with HIV.

Additional Resources:

Publications

1.   Coinfection with HIV and Hepatitis C Virus — This fact sheet provides basic information on infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) for persons living with HIV/AIDS. It discusses the risk factors for HCV infection, methods of transmission including the use of injection drugs and tattooing or body piercing, and treatment options for persons with HCV.

   http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pubs/brochure/coinfection.htm

2.   Frequently Asked Questions — Viral Hepatitis — This fact sheet talks about types of viral hepatitis and how they are spread. It also gives information on the symptoms of hepatitis and how it is diagnosed and treated. You can also learn more about prevention and the risk of giving the hepatitis virus to your child if you are pregnant or breastfeed. There are vaccines available for hepatitis A and B. Learn how the vaccines can help stop the spread of these diseases.

   http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/hepatitis.htm

3.   Hepatitis C: Just Diagnosed — This publication can help you understand a hepatitis C diagnosis, find support, work with your doctor, and have proper treatment options for your health.

   http://www.hepatitis.va.gov/vahep?page=diag-00-00

4. Hepatitis C (Copyright © AAFP) — This on-line publication discusses hepatitis C and its affects on the body. It also offers information on how it is spread and how to best treat hepatitis C.

   http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/infections/hepatitis/071.html...

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated March 4, 2009.