Module 11: Integrated Testing for HIV and HCV
Completion requirements
Module 11: Integrated Testing for HIV and HCV
Module 11: Integrated Testing for HIV and HCV, Screen 4 of 15
Why Test for HIV and Hepatitis C at the Same Time?
There are at least six reasons to integrate hepatitis C into HIV services:
Reason #1: A lot of people are infected with hepatitis C and don’t know it. It is a serious public health issue.
Reason #2: Many folks who are at risk for HIV are also at risk for hepatitis C, especially if they share needles and other injection equipment.
Reason #3: The California Office of AIDS did a demonstration project in 2003 that showed that HIV testing rates among people who inject drugs nearly doubled when hepatitis C testing was combined with HIV testing.
Reason #4: People who are HIV-positive are more likely to get hepatitis C, and hepatitis C is a more serious disease for people who are also HIV-positive.
Reason #5: There are four times more people with hepatitis C than HIV in the United States.
Reason #6: New HCV rapid testing allows people at risk for both diseases to screen for both diseases in one visit.
For all these reasons, understanding the connections between HIV and hepatitis C is increasingly important for us test counselors.
Why Test for HIV and Hepatitis C at the Same Time?
There are at least six reasons to integrate hepatitis C into HIV services:Reason #1: A lot of people are infected with hepatitis C and don’t know it. It is a serious public health issue.
Reason #2: Many folks who are at risk for HIV are also at risk for hepatitis C, especially if they share needles and other injection equipment.
Reason #3: The California Office of AIDS did a demonstration project in 2003 that showed that HIV testing rates among people who inject drugs nearly doubled when hepatitis C testing was combined with HIV testing.
Reason #4: People who are HIV-positive are more likely to get hepatitis C, and hepatitis C is a more serious disease for people who are also HIV-positive.
Reason #5: There are four times more people with hepatitis C than HIV in the United States.
Reason #6: New HCV rapid testing allows people at risk for both diseases to screen for both diseases in one visit.
For all these reasons, understanding the connections between HIV and hepatitis C is increasingly important for us test counselors.