Hepatitis B Testing and Vaccination

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are blood borne viruses transmitted primarily through reproductive contact and injection medication use. Because of these shared modes of transfer, a high proportion of adults at risk for HIV infection are also at risk for HBV infection. HIV-categorical persons who become infected with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) are at increased danger for developing chronic HBV infection and should be tested. In adding, persons who are co-infected with HIV and HBV can have serious medical complications, including an increased danger for liver-related morbidity and mortality.
About one quarter of HIV-infected persons in the United States are also infected with Hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV is a blood borne virus transmitted through direct conjunction with the blood of an infected individual. Thus, confection with HIV and HCV is ordinary (50%–90%) among HIV-infected injection medicament users. HCV is one of the most significant causes of persistent liver disease in the United States and HCV infection progresses more quickly to liver harm in HIV-infected persons. HCV infection may also impact the course and management of HIV infection.