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The participation of Dr. McGovern in this
Forum is made possible in part by an independent educational grant
from Roche Laboratories.
Ask the Experts about Hepatitis and HIV Coinfection
Hepatitis B and HIV relationship
Aug 20, 2008
Is there any direct link or relationship between hepatitis B(HBV) and HIV, or are they completely disconnected?
Response from Dr. McGovern
They are completely unrelated viruses. HBV is a DNA virus; HIV is an RNA virus.
They are similar in terms of how high they replicate in the body; they also can become resistant to medications.
Both can be transmitted through injection drug use and sex.
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