Hepatitis C is a disease caused by a virus that infects the liver. The virus, called hepatitis C virus (HCV), can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death. [See our lesson called Risks To Your Liver (Hepatotoxicity)]. Nearly 4 million people are infected with HCV in the United States and between 8,000 and 10,000 people die of hepatitis C in this country every year. Worldwide, there are estimated to be 170-200 million people infected with HCV! Fortunately, much progress has been made in terms of treating people who have hepatitis C, including people who are infected with both HIV and HCV.
HCV is a common infection among people living with HIV. It can cause liver disease faster in people who are also infected with HIV and can make it more difficult to treat HIV correctly. This is why hepatitis C is considered an AIDS-related opportunistic infection, at least in the eyes of the United States Public Health Service and the Infectious Disease Society of America.
It is important for people infected with HIV and HCV to work closely with their healthcare providers in order to safely and effectively treat both infections.
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