13.000 undetected hepatitis infections in the UK?

About 13,000 HIV-positive Britis could additionally be suffering from hepatitis C, without even knowing it. The reason: More than a third of HIV patients were not tested for hepatitis contrary to the guidelines of the British HIV Association.

These figures come from a recent study, which has seen over 31,000 patients in specialized hospitals zwischen 1996 and 2007. Most HIV-positive men got infected with hepatitis C through sexual contact. Other studies also assume that an immune system that is already weakened by a sexually transmitted disease, can get more easily infected with a second STD. If left untreated, can lead to liver cirrhosis, hepatitis, cancer and premature death.

Matthew Hodson, head of health programs at GMFA, a British health organization for gay men, makes it clear: "The virus often shows no symptoms and most people who become infected can't get the virus under control without treatment. We encourage men with HIV to inform themselves about hepatitis C to get tested. The earlier the virus is diagnosed, the better the chances are to defeat the virus."

Source: GGG.at