Can I Decrease the Risk of Getting HCV-HIV Co-infection?
HIV is spread through infected blood and sexual contact. Hepatitis C is spread mainly by blood and less by having sex. The best thing to do to protect yourself from getting either virus is to:
- Practice safe sex all the time. This means using a latex condom and avoiding rough sex or other activities that may cause bleeding.
- Do not use drugs or talk to someone about getting help to stop. If you do use drugs, make sure your needle and works are clean and don’t share them with anyone else.
If you do have HCV-HIV co-infection, try to keep you and your liver healthy to keep it from becoming more serious by doing the following:
- Get vaccinated against other Hepatitis viruses such as Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B
- Don’t drink alcohol
- Don’t use illegal drugs
- Make sure you tell your doctor about all medicines, supplements, or herbal remedies you are taking as they may impact your liver function
- Treat your body right by getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and exercising