 [ Symptoms ] what about co infection with hepatitis b virus and hepatitis c virus [ Disease ] 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