HIV and the Liver

What is the liver's function and liver disease?

The liver has a vital role in the way your body works, it helps:

• Transform nutrients from food and drink into chemicals that give your body energy
• Get rid of waste, cleansing blood of unwanted chemicals that might otherwise harm your body
• Process medication, including HIV medications

The liver is put under greater strain the more medications or toxins (such as alcohol) it has to process. 

As we get older, the liver becomes less active and less efficient at digesting food and cleaning unwanted chemicals, which can lead to liver problems. 

WHAT IS LIVER DISEASE?

Liver disease is a broad term used to describe many problems that affect the liver and make it less active. These include:

• Hepatitis A infection – a vaccine is available to prevent you getting it but it is important to get the full schedule of two doses to ensure life-long protection
• Hepatitis B infection – a vaccine is available to prevent you from getting it
• Hepatitis C infection – there is no vaccine available but with modern treatments it's possible to cure the infection
• Alcohol-related liver disease – this is caused by drinking too much alcohol. Treatment involves stopping drinking and psychological support may also be recommended
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) – a collective name for a range of conditions which are caused by fat being built up in the liver. NAFLD is common in people who are overweight or have diabetes and it is becoming increasingly frequent amongst people living with HIV. Treatment involves following a healthy diet and lifestyle  
• Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) – a more serious form of NAFLD

CAN HIV CAUSE LIVER DISEASE?

Many people living with HIV have no problems with their liver. However, if you have HIV and particularly if you also have hepatitis B or C and/or drink heavily, your liver is likely to be under greater strain and more prone to problems.