Hepatitis B More than 84 percent of the HIV-infected population present with HBV blood markers. HBV is transmitted parenterally, typically by contaminated blood or blood products, and through sexual, perinatal, and occupational contact with infected body fluids. Previous conclusions by Eskild et al. that the presence of hepatitis B antibodies in HIV-infected patients is associated with more rapid clinical progression to AIDS have not been confirmed. Transmission, traditionally thought to occur solely through exposure to contaminated blood can also be attributed to non-parenteral routes. Clinically, HDV is a serious and often progressive disorder manifested by an unusually aggressive course.
Cases often present with malaise, anorexia, fever, jaundice and mild splenomegaly.
Infection is followed by recovery and subsequent immunity in more than 95 percent of infected persons. Approximately 5 percent will fail to eliminate the virus from the liver and become chronic carriers. HBV-DNA levels can be followed are are prognostic. With HCV, illness may develop following an average 50 day incubation period. At least 50 percent of these infections progress to chronic disease.