What is the treatment for chronic hepatitis C?
Frequently Asked Questions About Viral HepatitisSOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Health Topics A-Z: Hepatitis (Viral) "Hepatitis A FAQ", "Hepatitis B FAQ", Hepatitis C FAQ"
Related QuestionsShantha BiotechAntiviral drugs such as interferon used alone or in combination with ribavirin, are approved for the treatment of persons with chronic hepatitis C. Interferon works in 10 to 20 persons out of 100 treated. Interferon combined with ribavirin works in about 30-40 persons out of 100.Related Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Hepatitis C - The BodyCombination therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin is the treatment of choice resulting in sustained response rates of 40%-80%. (Up to 50% for patients infected with the most common genotype found in the U.S. [genotype 1] and up to 80% for patients infected with genotypes 2 or 3.) Interferon monotherapy is generally reserved for patients in whom ribavirin is contraindicated. Ribavirin, when used alone, does not work.Related Questions
What Will Happen If I Do Not Receive Interferon Treatment for My Chronic Active Hepatitis C?
Frequently Asked Questions About Hepatitis CInterferon helps slow the hepatitis C disease by reducing the amount of virus in one's body and slowing liver damage. The suppression of liver disease is important because patients with hepatitis C have a 20% chance of developing cirrhosis (scarring of liver tissue), and 6% of patients will develop liver cancer (usually only seen in patients with cirrhosis). Those with cirrhosis eventually need a liver transplant to survive.
Related QuestionsWhat are some considerations when thinking about starting treatment for hepatitis C?
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts:Making a decsion about starting hepatitis C drug therapy is difficult. Here are some things to consider. Prognosis: Since most people don’t get seriously sick from hepatitis C, it doesn’t make sense for every infected person to go on treatment. It is a good idea to take test results (patterned liver enzymes and PCR, ultrasound, and liver biopsy) into consideration. If the liver is not at all damaged, treatment is generally not recommended.
Related QuestionsWhat is the treatment for hepatitis C?
Affiliates in Gastroenterology - HomeMost patients will need between 6 – 12 months of a combination of an injectible medication, interferon and an oral medication, ribavirin. The cure rates are between 50 – 80%. The medications have side effects of fatigue, anemia, muscle aches and at times, depression. Most of these side effects can be managed with other medication and diet.
Related QuestionsHow do chronic hepatitis B and C affect the body?
PSRIIn chronic hepatitis B or C, the virus may continue to cause injury to the liver over a period of time, possibly resulting in severe damage, liver failiure, or even liver cancer. This is very serious because the liver is one of the most important organs in your body. When it is healthy, the liver performs a number of crucial functions that help keep you feeling energetic and alert.
Related Questionswhat is hepatitis c?
FAQHepatitis C Virus (HCV) is spread mostly from contact with infected blood, such as a blood transfusion (before 1992), kidney dialysis, or through injecting drug use. It is rarely sexually transmitted, although sex with multiple partners or a history of sexually transmitted diseases can put people at risk for it. The virus can enter the body through minor cuts or scrapes by razors, toothbrushes or on needles used for tattooing, body piercing or on materials used to snort drugs.
Related QuestionsHepatitis C Check - Frequently Asked QuestionsHepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is found in an infected person's blood. Hepatitis C is a serious disease. Many people may carry the virus for the rest of their lives. Infected people can develop liver damage, but do not necessarily feel sick. Even those who develop a persistent infection may not show symptoms until there is severe liver damage.Related Questions
What is the Current Treatment for Hepatitis C?
Frequently Asked Questions About Hepatitis CPegylated interferon and Ribavirin are the medications used to treat chronic hepatitis C infection. Treatment of hepatitis C using these medications requires careful monitoring, frequent lab tests and doctor visits. It is very important that you NEVER STOP TREATMENT without first consulting with your primary doctor, Gastroenterologist, or Hepatologist.
Related QuestionsWhat does conventional treatment for chronic hepatitis C consist of?
NutritionPeople who have a mild case of hepatitis C may only need to manage it by visiting their doctor regularly and following their doctor's recommendations--such as eating a nutritious diet, avoiding alcohol (because of its impact on the liver), and getting regular exercise. For people with more severe hepatitis C, however, drug therapy may be needed. A drug called interferon is the mainstay of conventional treatment.
Related QuestionsCan Children Receive Interferon Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C: Frequently Asked QuestionsAntiviral drugs are not licensed for persons under 18 years of age. Children with hepatitis C should be referred to a children's specialist in liver diseases. You may want to ask your doctor about clinical trials that may be on-going for children.
Related QuestionsIs It Necessary to Do Genotyping When Managing a Person with Chronic Hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C: Frequently Asked QuestionsYes, as there are 6 known genotypes and more than 50 subtypes of HCV, and genotype information is helpful in defining the epidemiology of hepatitis C. Knowing the genotype or serotype (genotype-specific antibodies) of HCV is helpful in making recommendations and counseling regarding therapy. Patients with genotypes 2 and 3 are almost three times more likely than patients with genotype 1 to respond to therapy with alpha interferon or the combination of alpha interferon and ribavirin.
Related QuestionsWhen is the best time to begin hepatitis C treatment?
Hepatitis C Web Portal: Frequently Asked QuestionsWhen you and your doctor have reached the decision that treatment would be beneficial, it is a good idea to begin the treatment as soon as possible. Research has shown that treatment is more successful if people are treated at an earlier age and before their liver disease becomes more serious
Related QuestionsHow will hepatitis C treatment affect my everyday life?
Hepatitis C Web Portal: Frequently Asked QuestionsLike most medications, treatment for hepatitis C can cause side effects. There is no way of telling how you will react to treatment until you start. Feeling like you have the flu (headache, fever, chills and muscle/joint pain) is the most common side effect and typically this is worst in first 48 hours that follow your weekly injection of pegylated interferon. Some people also experience depression, feeling tired or nauseous.
Related QuestionsWhat are the symptoms of hepatitis C?
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts:In most cases, people infected with hepatitis C experience no symptoms. Hepatitis C is a very slow moving virus, so symptoms my not even present themselves for 20 years or longer. The most common symptoms of hepatitis C are fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, muscle or joint pain, and jaundice (a yellowing of the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes).
Related QuestionsHow is hepatitis C transmitted?
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts:Hepatitis C is a blood borne virus, and is transmitted through direct blood-to-blood contact. The most common ways for hepatitis C to be transmitted is through sharing needles with an infected person, having had a blood transfusion prior to 1992, sharing personal care items such has razors that could have infected blood on them, and from mother to child during childbirth. in rare cases, hepatitis C can be transmitted through sex.
Related QuestionsHow easy is it to get hepatitis C from sex?
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts:It is possible to transmit hepatitis C through sex, but it is not an efficient transmission method. It is much more likely to get hepatitis C through sharing needles or "works", or having had a blood transfusion before 1992. Having a sexually transmitted disease or having sex that involves blood can increase the risk of getting hepatitis C through sex.
Related QuestionsIf people get hepatitis C, will they always have it?
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts:Hepatitis C is interesting in that about 15% of people who get the infection can clear the virus completely out of their bodies naturally within the first 6 months of their infection. This means that those people are no longer infected and can no longer spread the virus to other people. However, 85% of people with hepatitis C will become chronic carriers. These people will always be capable of transmitting the virus to others through blood.
Related QuestionsCan people become reinfected with hepatitis C?
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts:Yes. People who have cleared the virus either naturally or through medication can become infected again. Also, people who have active hepatitis C can become infected with additional genotypes (strains) of hepatitis C.
Related QuestionsWhen was hepatitis C first discovered?
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts:Doctors and scientists recognized a type of hepatitis in the early 1970's that they called Non-A, non-B hepatitis. In 1987, they discovered that it was a unique virus and named it Hepatitis C.
Related QuestionsHow can people find out if they have hepatitis C?
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts:Since 1992, antibody tests have been available to determine if people have been infected. Today, people can have these tests performed at their doctors' offices. For people with no insurance, there are some clinics that can also perform the tests for free or reduced fees. For people who would like to get tested, it is a good idea to wait between 3-6 months from the last time they had a risk of infection before they go in for the test.
Related QuestionsWhat are some things that someone with hepatitis C should avoid?
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts:Avoiding alcohol (even small amounts) is extremely important. Tylenol and other over-the-counter and prescription drugs can also cause liver damage. High iron diets can cause damage. Good nutrition, exercise, and sleep are helpful in keeping the liver healthy.
Related QuestionsWhat is the difference between Hepatitis A, B, and C?
FAQHepatitis A (HAV) is caused by a virus found in feces (people's stool). You can get it by coming in contact with infected feces. The most common way is by swallowing food or liquids that get contaminated by hands that are not washed thoroughly after using the toilet. You can also get Hepatitis A through sexual acts like 'rimming' (licking someone's anus) or via oral sex on a male's penis after he has had anal sex.
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