[Illegal drug users and risk factors for HIV and HCV infection]

Abstract

Since the beginning of the HIV-epidemic, injection drug users (IDUs) have had a high risk of acquiring an infection with HIV. Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) is the most common infectious disease among IDUs. About 4 to 6 % of IDUs are HIV positive and more than 60 % are HCV positive. 90 % of HIV-positive IDUs are both HIV positive and HCV positive. Substitution treatment is the most effective prevention of HIV and HCV infection. Both HIV infection and chronic hepatitis C can be treated most successfully during substitution treatment.