Does HIV Make HCV Worse?
HCV disease may progress more rapidly in people with HIV. Studies conducted prior to the use of HAART (Highly Active AntiRetroviral Therapy) showed that HIV could speed up HCV disease progression. But HAART’s boost to the immune system may help to slow down HCV-related liver damage. Co-infected people usually have higher HCV viral loads than people with HCV alone, but much controversy remains about HCV disease progression in co-infection. Long-term follow-up is needed to help provide more answers about HIV’s role in HCV disease progression. Several other factors also play a role: alcohol consumption, general liver health before HCV and HIV infection, which infection you got first, age, overall immune health, access to care and the quality of care received, drug use, and use of HAART.
