hepatitis c is caused by a virus that is spread through contaminated needles or blood products and less commonly through sexual intercourse. about 10% of patients with chronic hepatitis b also are co-infected chronically with hepatitis c virus (hcv). the two viruses interfere with each other and one usually predominates. if hepatitis c is the predominant infection treatment is directed against the hepatitis c. patients infected with both viruses are at higher risk for complications of liver disease. there is no effective vaccine against hepatitis c. persons with hepatitis c should be vaccinated against hepatitis b to prevent co-infection.
what about co-infection with hepatitis b virus and hepatitis c virus?