HIV Co Infection

HIV co infection is a lethal combination of two diseases that can have the same routes of transmission. According to the definition, a person who is infected with HIV as well as with hepatitis B can be called as a HIV co infected person. It is estimated that about ten percent of the HIV infected people worldwide are infected with hepatitis B. The figure may move toward to twenty percent in south Asia, and five percent in North America as well as Western Europe. These diseases, HIV and hepatitis B have the same ways of transmission. So, as a result of this it is not surprising that people have infected with this co infection. The high frequency of these two can be seen in HIV infected person. Those who are infected with HIV, it has been seen that hepatitis B virus is transmitted in them because of injecting drug and sexual activity. The leading causes of death among HIV positive people are hepatitis B and hepatitis C. However, highly active antiretroviral therapy has noticeably improved the lives those who are infected with HIV. As a result of this the management of hepatitis B and C has become the first priority among the HIV co-infected persons. There is no cure for hepatitis B and C so the main aim is to reduce the intensity of these diseases as long as possible.

Treatment and management for HIV co-infection: HBV/HIV Co-infection

There is always a priority of HBV therapy for HBV/HIV co-infection. There are certain reasons behind it. The first reason is that liver related diseases spread more quickly among the patients of HIV. It can lead to the serious liver diseases like cirrhosis and liver cancer at younger ages. Second reason behind it is that there is a higher risk of developing hepatotoxicity in HBV/HIV co-infected persons than those who are only infected with HIV.

HIV can develop higher rates of chronicity, reduced rates of anti-HBs seroconversion and anti-HBe, as well as developed viral reproduction, mainly because of the inability of the body's immune system. As a result of this, HBV/HIV co-infection is related with increased liver fibrosis development. It is as well as responsible for increased rate of liver putrefaction, liver cancer and cirrhosis. So, it is recommended to shun the development of harsh immune deficiency that is defined as <200>

There is no proof that hepatitis B affects the progress of HIV disease or that it changes the response of HIV to ART (antiretroviral therapy). Nevertheless, beginning ART might be related with an increased risk of liver inflammation in co-infected person as confirmed by Alanine Aminotransferase flares liver enzymes.

HBV/HIV Co-infection

Screening and Diagnosis

It is essential to be screened out for viral hepatitis (A, B and C) for the HIV-positive patients. Those who have been tested for Hepatitis B and C should seek advice and care from a liver specialist for the further management and estimation. HBV/HIV patients who are lacking -HAV IgG antibodies should be vaccinated to shield them from obtaining another harmful liver virus.

HIV co-infection is the combination which is found in HIV infected persons. It is actually a combination of two diseases; the first one is itself HIV and the other one is hepatitis B, C, or D. It occurs because of the weakened immune system that is unable to protect the body from the invaders like infections and diseases. HIV can allow such diseases to enter in the body and make the body susceptible to AIDS and other diseases. The only option for protecting the immune system is to follow the treatment and control the disease.