Medical infection of Haemophiliacs with HIV and Hepatitis C

During the late 1970s and early 1980s, treatment for haemophilia began to include using factor concentrates made from donated blood. Some of this blood came from people who had HIV or other blood borne viruses, such as Hepatitis. 

Blood is now screened and factors heat treated, but before these processes were put in place, more than 4800 haemophiliacs in Britain were infected with Hepatitis C and 1200 of those were infected with HIV as well. Many have already died from their infections – of those who were infected with HIV, fewer than 400 people are still alive.
 
Many haemophiliacs did not know that they had been infected until years later – in the time between many partners and children also became infected. There followed a long battle with the UK Government to secure compensation, and claims that the Government  knowingly allowed contaminated blood products to be used in the UK. An independent public inquiry into contaminated blood and blood products was announced in February 2007 and launched officially in March.

Those with both HIV and Hepatitis C have the problem of managing two chronic conditions as well as their haemophilia. Many HIV drugs are damaging to the liver and Interferon, used to treat Hepatitis C, may damage the immune system.

Since effective anti-HIV medication became available, liver disease, as a result of Hepatitis C infection, has become the major cause of death among HIV positive men with haemophilia.

Particular Issues

Managing haemophilia, HIV and potentially also Hepatitis C is a real challenge to an individual, their medical professionals and the people who care for them. 

Someone with all three conditions may have complex needs, both in terms of treatment and support. It is important that the medical professionals monitoring and treating a patient work closely together, so they are aware of all the issues involved – such as drug interactions or adherence issues.

There have been some studies to investigate anecdotal evidence of bleeding episodes being increased by Protease Inhibitors (PIs).  It is not clear why this is the case, but it is important that doctors treating haemophiliacs with HIV are aware of it. 

You can find more information from the Haemophilia Society here.