Is Hepititis C a side affect of HIV drugs? And is it normal to discontinue HIV treatment once diagnosed?

My friend is HIV positive and has just found out he now has Hep C. Just wanted some info on the two together and what it means for him? Is it life threatening? Is Hep C treatable?

No Hepatitis C is not caused by HIV drugs. Hepatits C is a disease caused by a virus. HIV is an immunocompromised condition , meaning the ability of a peron to fight infections is reduced, hence person becomes more suspeptioble to various infections. this is one possible link between the two.

Hepatits C is generally acquired by Blood tranfusion ...did ur friend receive blood transfusion in the past ? HIV is transmitted by transfusion as well ...so there is a another possible link here.

as far as second part of the question is concerned, No its is generally not recommened to stop drugs once it is started. also u must remember drugs given for HIV or antiretroviral drugs donot actually cure HIV, it only reduces the viral load so as to reduce the chance of infection.

Hep C isn't a side affect, however, some risk factors for contracting HIV are the same ones for contracting Hep C, so it's possible that a person infected with HIV was infected with Hep C in a similar way.

I don't believe it's normal to completely discontinue HIV treatment upon a Hep C diagnosis, although management of one condition may complicate management of the other, so be sure your doctor knows about both conditions.

Hep c is not a side effect of anything - it`s a very serious illness passed onto you by another infected person, either by blood or by sexual contact.You don`t say what treatment you`ve been having, but no treatment can go on indefinately. Was it interferon ? If so, yes that is stopped when you`ve had the treatment for a number of weeks. From there, they will see what happens over the next few weeks, and then decide another course of action. One step at a time. Sounds like somebody`s not asking questions about what`s going on when they have their appointments...........?

no, hcv is not a "bi-directional" disease of HIV.
hepatitis c has more than likely affected your friend in the same manor he acquired hiv.

the drugs taken for hiv are hard on the liver (as with any other drug).

do not discontinue hiv therapy! ask if he can add antiviral chemotherapy to his routine. i know some drugs for the hiv will have to stop during treatment for hcv, but then again, it's up to what type of medication he is on.

hcv is an rna virus, it is not a type of hepatitis caused by medication.

I am afraid the mechanism for catching Hepatitis C is similar to that of HIV, in fact it is easier to catch!

It too is not treatable, but can be helped by medication. He really should be chatting to his own doctors who will explain it all to him.