Hepatitis C and Other Forms of Viral Hepatitis
Although all hepatitis viruses affect the liver, hepatitis C is different from hepatitis B and hepatitis A. One major difference is that there is no vaccine for hepatitis C. The hepatitis B virus is more likely to be spread through sexual contact. Hepatitis A, unlike hepatitis B and C, does not cause chronic disease.
HCV and HIV
HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) and the hepatitis C virus have similarities but important differences. Both HCV and HIV are viruses that can cause chronic disease. Some of the risk factors, such as IV drug use and blood transfusions before 1992, are also common between the two viruses. In fact, almost one third of HIV-infected people, especially those who acquired HIV through transfusions or intravenous drug use, are also infected with HCV.
In persons who are infected with HCV and HIV, chronic hepatitis C becomes serious much more quickly than in HIV-negative persons. If you are HIV positive, talk to your doctor about hepatitis C.
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