Liver Health, Hepatitis and HIV

We realize that this issue of ACRIA Update might cause unease for some of our readers -- yet more viruses to worry about, the possibility that anti-HIV drugs could affect the liver, and lots of unfamiliar words, many of them beginning with "hepa." But, we know that the following discussion can be important to your health. Liver problems have become a part of living with HIV for many people, so we've included tips on keeping your liver healthy, questions to ask your provider, tests to request, results to monitor, and symptoms of liver problems to watch out for. Perhaps the most helpful hint we can offer as you read on is that "hepa" means liver. For example, hepatitis means inflammation of the liver, whether the cause is alcohol, toxins, or a viral infection like hepatitis B or hepatitis C. Similarly, hepatologists are liver specialists, something that's hepatotoxic can be harmful to the liver, hepatocellular carcinoma is a type of liver cancer, etc. Still kind of intimidating, perhaps, but not having information is often harmful. We thank the writers who contributed to this issue of ACRIA Update, especially Joan Warner and Jeff Gustavson for sharing their personal journeys through fear to become active participants in their health care.

Best wishes for a good summer.