Outbreaks of acute HCV infection have been reported among HIV-positive gay men in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, France, and the Netherlands. Many of these cases were sexually transmitted. In the United Kingdom, HIV clinics identified many cases of acute HCV through routine monitoring of liver enzymes, which is required during HIV treatment. These men were open about their HIV status and selected other HIV-positive men as sex partners, as part of their choice to responsibly deal with HIV. Unfortunately, the lack of information about sexually transmitted HCV meant that they did not know that they were at risk, or how to protect themselves and their partners
Being diagnosed with HCV after many years of living with HIV can be very hard to deal with. Some people say it brings back feelings they experienced when they were diagnosed with HIV.