Hepatitis C and Co-Infection: An Overview As more people with
HIV are living longer, co-infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV)
has emerged as a significant concern. Serious illness and death
from hepatitis C-related liver disease are increasing in HIV-
positive people. In the United States, about one-third of people
with HIV are co-infected with HCV; the rates vary by area
because up to 90% of people who got HIV through injection drug
use are also infected with HCV. Before the hepatitis C virus was
identified in 1988, doctors knew that some people had a type of
viral hepatitis that they called non-A, non-B (NANB). Initially,
NANB hepatitis wasn't considered a serious health concern, but
after many years, some people with NANB hepatitis began to
develop serious liver problems. A small RNA virus -- hepatitis C
-- turned out to be the culprit in most cases. Only about three
out of ten people have symptoms immediately after infection.
These symptoms can include: About one out of seven people has a
strong immune re