Living with HIV and Hepatitis B: A Story of Hope and Care in Thailand
In 2019, 21-year-old Somchai from Thailand was dealing with two serious health conditions—he had both hepatitis B (HBV) and advanced HIV.
“Because these two viruses are transmitted in similar ways through blood, it’s not unusual to see patients with both,” explains Dr. Anchalee Avihingsanon, the principal clinical researcher at the Thai Red Cross AIDS and Infectious Diseases Research Centre, where Somchai received care.
Dr. Anchalee frequently treats individuals with coinfections, noting that roughly one in five of her patients are managing both HBV and HIV.
“HBV-HIV coinfection presents a significant global health issue, contributing to greater illness and death rates than having either virus on its own,” she emphasizes.
Coinfection rates can be as high as 25% in regions where both viruses are widespread, including parts of Asia. In some areas, as much as 70% of people have been exposed to HBV at some point in their lives, according to serologic data.
When Somchai first came under Dr. Anchalee’s care, he was feeling very weak and was deeply concerned about how his diagnosis might affect his partner’s health.
With years of experience treating patients in her community, Dr. Anchalee was able to reassure him and earn his trust, as she has with many others.
“My patients know I’m here for them because I work closely with both the community and other health professionals to improve coinfection care and challenge misinformation,” she says.
Over the years, treatment options have improved significantly from when she started working in this field in 2008. Her current research aims to expand access to reliable data in communities most affected by HIV-HBV coinfections.
“We must keep pushing for new scientific insights to improve patient care,” she adds. “Those committed to tackling global health crises like HIV-HBV coinfections understand that an epidemic in one part of the world can impact us all.”
Today, Somchai is thankful for the care he’s received. “It’s been more than five years, and thanks to my doctor, I’m on a much better path now,” he says.
“Because these two viruses are transmitted in similar ways through blood, it’s not unusual to see patients with both,” explains Dr. Anchalee Avihingsanon, the principal clinical researcher at the Thai Red Cross AIDS and Infectious Diseases Research Centre, where Somchai received care.
Dr. Anchalee frequently treats individuals with coinfections, noting that roughly one in five of her patients are managing both HBV and HIV.
“HBV-HIV coinfection presents a significant global health issue, contributing to greater illness and death rates than having either virus on its own,” she emphasizes.
Coinfection rates can be as high as 25% in regions where both viruses are widespread, including parts of Asia. In some areas, as much as 70% of people have been exposed to HBV at some point in their lives, according to serologic data.
When Somchai first came under Dr. Anchalee’s care, he was feeling very weak and was deeply concerned about how his diagnosis might affect his partner’s health.
With years of experience treating patients in her community, Dr. Anchalee was able to reassure him and earn his trust, as she has with many others.
“My patients know I’m here for them because I work closely with both the community and other health professionals to improve coinfection care and challenge misinformation,” she says.
Over the years, treatment options have improved significantly from when she started working in this field in 2008. Her current research aims to expand access to reliable data in communities most affected by HIV-HBV coinfections.
“We must keep pushing for new scientific insights to improve patient care,” she adds. “Those committed to tackling global health crises like HIV-HBV coinfections understand that an epidemic in one part of the world can impact us all.”
Today, Somchai is thankful for the care he’s received. “It’s been more than five years, and thanks to my doctor, I’m on a much better path now,” he says.
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