Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Dec 4: The emergence of HIV among injecting drug users in Kashmir is a bigger challenge, as there is a considerable population of drug abusers suffering from Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B, doctors said on Wednesday.
A top doctor at GMC Srinagar said that the bigger challenge is the emergence of HIV among injecting drug users in Kashmir, as a considerable population of these drug users is suffering from Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B.
He said that J&K is still considered a low-prevalence state/UT regarding HIV/AIDS cases, as only around 70,000 cases have been detected to date.
However, the doctor said that the threat and emergence of HIV in injecting drug users (IDUs) is a big challenge.
Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are blood-borne diseases, primarily transmitted through shared or unsterilised needles, which are prevalent in the drug-abusing population, further compounding the health risks.
“Hepatitis infections not only exacerbate the morbidity among IDUs but also serve as a marker for unsafe injecting practices, increasing the likelihood of HIV transmission,” the doctor said.
Another doctor said that while the overall prevalence of HIV in J&K remains low compared to national figures, the concentrated epidemic within high-risk groups like IDUs could lead to a surge in cases if not addressed promptly.
“HBV, HCV, and HIV are all blood-borne viruses, primarily transmitted through contact with infected blood. IDUs who share needles, syringes, or other injection equipment are at high risk for all three infections,” he said.
“If an IDU is already infected with HBV or HCV, it indicates exposure to risky behaviours, such as sharing needles, which also increases the likelihood of HIV transmission,” he added.
Doctors said that chronic HBV and HCV infections can compromise the liver’s function and weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to additional infections, including HIV.
Both HBV and HCV infections result in high concentrations of the virus in the blood. This increases the chances of transmitting these viruses, along with HIV, if blood-contaminated needles or syringes are reused, they said.
“Individuals with HBV or HCV are at a greater risk of acquiring HIV if exposed because co-infections are biologically more likely due to compromised mucosal immunity and shared risk behaviours,” the doctors said, adding that HIV can also worsen the progression of Hepatitis B and C by further weakening the immune response, leading to more severe complications.
