HIV Hepatitis Co-infection Treatment Program

As highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) has improved and extended the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the liver disease that it can cause has become an increasing problem. HCV co-infection is responsible for a five-fold increase in hospitalizations and has become a leading cause of complications and mortality in HIV-infected individuals. Liver diseases resulting from HCV infection are responsible for 50 percent of all deaths of people living with HIV/AIDS in the U.S.

As a leader in care of those affected by HIV and liver diseases, Mount Sinai has exceptional resources for patients co-infected with both HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Mount Sinai has been ranked by US News and World Report as among the top AIDS programs in the nation. In liver diseases, Mount Sinai physicians and researchers have published numerous scientific studies that have made major contributions to our understanding of HIV, as well as to the development of treatment and prevention strategies.

Historically, Mount Sinai has been a leader in the study and care of liver diseases, including the following milestones:

• Hans Popper, known as the father of hepatology (the study of the liver), was a Mount Sinai physician.
• Mount Sinai performed the first liver transplant in New York State.
• Mount Sinai is the only hospital in New York with a division devoted exclusively to the treatment of liver diseases.

Mount Sinai's HIV and liver disease experts work together in a variety of settings to provide integrated care for co-infected patients.

HIV and liver disease specialists, mental health providers, and social workers provide coordinated care. When it is necessary, liver transplant and liver cancer teams are brought in to provide essential expertise and services.

Mount Sinai infectious disease and liver disease doctors also conduct clinical research for HIV and hepatitis C co-infection. These studies offer patients access to experimental treatments not yet available elsewhere.

For more information about HIV and hepatitis C co-infection care at Mount Sinai, please visit the HIV Hepatitis C Co-Infection Program site.