HIV Infection versus Viral Hepatitis B and C: Stigma and Discrimination Experienced by HIV/AIDS Patients in Public Hospitals, Sindh Pakistan

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) impairs the immune system and causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) - an advanced stage of HIV infection. HIV/AIDS is a global health problem. To date, 43 million persons have died due to AIDS-related illnesses, and 40 million persons are living with HIV/AIDS worldwide. There is no cure, but with antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV infection has become a manageable chronic health condition1. HIV versus Viral Hepatitis B/C: Hepatitis B/C retroviruses attack human liver cells. Each year, 1.5 million persons die due to Hepatitis B virus disease, and HIV/AIDS claim 665,000 lives2. HIV and Hepatitis B/C are spread via the same routes, (I) direct contact with body fluids, including blood, semen/vaginal secretions, breast milk; (II) High-Risk Sexual Contacts; (III) exposure to contaminated syringes, surgical and beauty equipment; (IV) Mother-to-Child; (V) unsafe blood transfusion3. Hepatitis B virus is more contagious than HIV because