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Hepatitis and other liver disease

The liver has many important functions in the body. For people with HIV, it plays a vital role in processing the drugs used to treat HIV.

Some people with HIV also have hepatitis B or hepatitis C, viruses that can cause inflammation of the liver. Some medicines, including some anti-HIV drugs, can also affect your liver, as can heavy drinking and drug use.

If you have hepatitis, you will not usually need to change what you eat if you already eat a healthy, varied diet. Controlling your weight by eating well and exercising will help, as being overweight may raise the risk of developing fatty deposits on the liver.

If your liver is badly damaged, your doctor may suggest limiting how much salt you eat, to avoid fluid retention putting too much strain on your liver. Your healthcare team will give you advice on what this might involve.  

If you have hepatitis, or another form of liver disease, you may be advised to limit or avoid drinking alcohol.

Having hepatitis C can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease and of diabetes, so you will have your blood fats and sugar, and blood pressure, monitored regularly.

See NAM’s booklet HIV & hepatitis for more information.

Nutrition

Published August 2016

Last reviewed August 2016

Next review August 2019

Contact NAM to find out more about the scientific research and information used to produce this booklet.

This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.
Community Consensus Statement on Access to HIV Treatment and its Use for Prevention

Together, we can make it happen

We can end HIV soon if people have equal access to HIV drugs as treatment and as PrEP, and have free choice over whether to take them.

Launched today, the Community Consensus Statement is a basic set of principles aimed at making sure that happens.

The Community Consensus Statement is a joint initiative of AVAC, EATG, MSMGF, GNP+, HIV i-Base, the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, ITPC and NAM/aidsmap
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This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.

NAM’s information is intended to support, rather than replace, consultation with a healthcare professional. Talk to your doctor or another member of your healthcare team for advice tailored to your situation.