HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B: what to know

HIV affects the immune system and, without effective treatment, can progress to AIDS. Hepatitis B primarily infects the liver. Having either infection does not automatically mean a person has the other.

Both viruses can pass through blood and sexual contact, and from a pregnant person to a baby. They are not spread by ordinary social contact such as sharing meals, hugging or using the same toilet.

Hepatitis B may be short-lived or become chronic, while HIV is managed as a long-term infection. Coinfection needs specialist oversight because immune health, liver inflammation and the choice of antiviral medicines affect one another. Symptoms cannot reliably establish either diagnosis.

Seek confidential testing after possible exposure and tell the clinician when it occurred, because time-sensitive preventive treatment may be considered. Testing may include markers that distinguish current hepatitis B infection, past infection and vaccine protection.

Hepatitis B vaccination helps protect people who are not immune; there is no vaccine for HIV. Use barrier protection, never share needles or equipment that may carry blood, and do not share razors or toothbrushes. If diagnosed, take antiviral medicine exactly as directed and attend liver and immune monitoring.

Arrange urgent medical assessment for yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, repeated vomiting, worsening upper abdominal pain or marked weakness. Seek emergency care for confusion, unusual drowsiness, vomiting blood, black stools, collapse or severe difficulty breathing.

After a recent needlestick, sexual exposure or contact between another person's blood and broken skin, seek medical advice immediately rather than waiting for symptoms. Early assessment guides baseline tests, vaccination and any preventive medicines that may be appropriate.

Ask which tests show active infection or immunity, whether close contacts need testing or hepatitis B vaccination, and how often liver and immune health should be reviewed. If both infections are present, confirm that any treatment change will continue to control both viruses and ask before using herbal products.