Same Transmission Routes, Virus Takes Advantage! Hepatitis C Patients More Susceptible to HIV Infection

Hepatitis C and AIDS share the same transmission routes: blood transmission, sexual transmission, and mother-to-child transmission. Therefore, co-infection with HIV is not uncommon among hepatitis C patients. According to the article "Progress in Epidemiological Research on HIV/AIDS in China," as of the end of 2020, there were 1.053 million people living with HIV in China. Meanwhile, data from the National Health Commission indicates that the major infectious diseases currently affecting the health of Chinese residents include AIDS, tuberculosis, hepatitis, and parasitic diseases. (Source: The Paper)

July 28th is World Hepatitis Day. Let us learn about the "troubled siblings" - Hepatitis C and AIDS.

Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), often presenting as a chronic course lasting more than six months. Most patients infected with HCV do not exhibit specific symptoms, so many infected individuals are unaware of their infection. As the disease progresses, symptoms such as fatigue, muscle soreness, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain may appear, and some may develop jaundice.

AIDS, or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, is a condition characterized by progressive immune dysfunction resulting from infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which leads to a reduction in lymphocytes. In the later stages, it can be complicated by various opportunistic infections, malignancies, and central nervous system disorders.

Hepatitis C and AIDS share the same transmission routes. Patients and carriers of hepatitis C and AIDS are sources of infection. The main routes of transmission are:

1. Blood Transmission: The risk of infection is high and very dangerous when receiving blood contaminated with the pathogen, or using medical instruments such as syringes, acupuncture needles, or dental equipment that have been contaminated with blood and not strictly sterilized.

2. Sexual Transmission: Sexual contact, whether homosexual or heterosexual, can lead to the transmission of hepatitis C and AIDS. It is worth noting that because the rectal wall is more prone to damage than the vaginal wall, male-to-male sexual behavior is more likely to transmit these viruses.

3. Mother-to-Child Transmission: If the mother is infected with hepatitis C or AIDS, there is a high probability of transmitting the infection to the child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.

It is important to note that daily activities without bodily fluid exchange do not transmit hepatitis C or AIDS, such as mosquito bites, contact with saliva, tears, or sweat on intact skin, hugging, handshaking, sharing meals, or coughing.

1. Refuse drugs. Drug users often share needles for intravenous drug use, which is a common route of transmission for hepatitis C and AIDS.

2. Refuse illegal blood collection and supply.

3. Refuse to receive injections, dental procedures, ear piercing, tattoos, acupuncture, or surgery at medical institutions or other venues with inadequate sterilization.

4. Refuse to share daily items that may puncture the skin or mucous membranes, such as toothbrushes, toothpicks, and razors.

1. Practice self-discipline and maintain a single sexual partner.

2. Correctly adopt protective measures during sexual activity.

3. Actively and standardly treat sexually transmitted diseases. Conditions such as syphilis, chancroid, genital herpes, and gonorrhea can increase the risk of HIV infection.

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