Newly diagnosed: hepatitis C

If you have been HIV-positive for a while and were recently diagnosed with hepatitis C (HCV), the shock of a second serious infection is difficult. Some of the strengths you brought to your HIV diagnosis will help you now.

After 6 years of being HIV positive I mistakenly believed I'd already been hit by the bus and survived so nothing else could hurt me.

I only discovered my HCV status by accident after I volunteered for a trial at my hospital which was looking at whether interferon might be useful for people who had run out of ARV options for their HIV.

I can't say that it came as a surprise (I assumed I was because of my previous drug use) but never really thought about it as I assumed I would be dead by the time HCV kicked in.

It is important to have a doctor who knows about and takes responsibility for both HIV and hepatitis C.

For me it was very important to have the HIV and HCV treated together - they are related… their progression is related… a liver specialist is not fully prepared to deal with somebody that lives with the double stigma of having these diseases…and didn't really understand some of the social and psychological implications.

The recommendation to see a specialist is included in the UK HIV standards of care.

This is the web edition of the i-Base guide Hepatitis C for people living with HIV: testing, coinfection, treatment and support. This guide is available in UK clinics. You can order free printed copies or download a PDF version (657 Kb).

Information on this website is provided as a guide only. All treatment decisions should be taken in consultation with your doctor or other healthcare professional. Authors and credits. Full section index. Glossary.