HBV/HIV Co-infection

What is HBV/HIV Co-infection?

A person who is infected with both the hepatitis B and the HIV viruses is said to have a HBV/HIV Co-infection. Approximately 10% of the HIV-infected population worldwide is infected with hepatitis B. This figure may approach 20% in Southeast Asia, and 5% in North America and Western Europe.

Since both the hepatitis B virus and the HIV virus share similar transmission routes, it is not surprising that there is a high frequency of co-infection. Sexual activity and/or injection drug use are the most common routes of transmission of the hepatitis B virus among those also infected with HIV.

While highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has dramatically improved the lives of those with HIV, the consequences of associated illnesses such as hepatitis B co-infections have become more relevant.

Conditions associated with hepatitis B and C are currently among the leading causes of hospital admission and death in the HIV-infected population. Therefore, the adequate management of hepatitis B and C is now being considered a priority in HIV-coinfected patients.

Since there is not a ‘cure’ at this time for hepatitis B, the main goal of treating HBV/HIV-co-infection is to stop or slow down HBV viral activity as much as possible and for as long as possible.

Learn More

Screening and Diagnosis

Guidelines for Treatment and Management of HBV/HIV Co-infection