Hepatitis B and HIV

Hepatitis B and HIV are different infections, but they can share routes of transmission. When both are present, HIV can affect immune function and hepatitis B can affect the liver, so treatment choices need careful coordination. Some medicines may act against both viruses, while stopping a medicine suddenly can allow hepatitis B to flare. Only a qualified clinician should adjust the regimen.

A person can have either infection without obvious symptoms. Fatigue, dark urine, fever or weight change are not enough to identify the cause, and testing is needed when exposure or clinical findings make it appropriate.

Ask for confidential testing if you may have been exposed, and share all results with the clinician managing your care. Bring every prescription, over-the-counter medicine and supplement to the appointment. Keep doses consistent, attend liver and HIV follow-up, and ask before starting or stopping treatment. A [Liver Function Test](/treatments/diagnostics-and-screening/liver-function-test/) may help assess liver health. Read more about [Hepatitis B](/conditions/hepatitis-b/) and prevention through [Hepatitis B Vaccination](/treatments/preventive-care-and-vaccination/hepatitis-b-vaccination/).

Seek urgent care for confusion, severe weakness, vomiting blood, black stools, severe abdominal pain, rapidly worsening yellowing, or inability to keep medicines or fluids down. Contact your treatment team promptly if you miss doses, develop persistent [Dark Urine](/symptoms/dark-urine/), or have new or worsening [Fatigue](/symptoms/fatigue/). Do not wait for symptoms before arranging testing after a significant exposure.

Ask which tests are needed, whether your medicines cover both infections, how liver function will be monitored, what to do after a missed dose, and how to protect partners or household members. You can also ask about confidential counselling and vaccination for eligible contacts.