Skip to main content
A A A

Treatment

Posted July 26, 2011 - 12:48pm

If you test positive for antibodies to HCV, a follow-up blood test should be done to see if viral material is found in your blood, along with blood tests to check the state of your livers' health. Approximately 15-25% of people infected with HCV have a mild, brief disease and get rid of the virus completely. In this case, the antibodies to HCV usually remain detectable in the blood but the actual viral material does not. However, most people who get hepatitis C will have HCV infection for a long time, and possibly for the rest of their lives. Treatment is available.

Hepatitis C is generally a slow-moving disease. You have time to think about what you want to do.

You should consider getting these tests:

  1. A liver panel (blood test measures enzymes such as the ALT and AST, clotting time, etc.)
  2. An HCV antibody test
  3. A PCR test (looks for the virus itself)
  4. Genotype test
  5. Alpha-fetoprotein test or AFP (looks for cancer)
  6. Ultrasound (looks for tumors)
  7. Biopsy

The first 5 are blood tests. They will give you and your doctor some important information. The AFP and ultrasound should be done at least yearly, and more often if you have cirrhosis (scarring). The only way to know how much damage has be done to your liver is from a biopsy. If your liver is not damaged, you may wish to wait before being treated. On the other hand, if your liver is damaged, and you have signs of rapid progression, you may wish to be treated as soon as possible.

Remember:

  • The earlier you start treatment, the more likely you are to respond
  • The younger you are, the more likely you will respond
  • The disease progresses faster in men than in women
  • The genotype test will tell you how likely you are to respond to treatment. Genotypes 1, don’t respond so well as other genotypes. People with genotype 1 need longer treatment.

What is treatment like?

The standard treatments are called Pegetron or Pegasys which are interferon plus ribavirin. The injection is once a week and the ribavirin capsules are taken every day. The side effects of treatment are much like having a bad flu. They can last about 2 weeks, and then often get better. Some people can continue working, while others are not able to do so. Some people can’t be treated because of serious medical problems or serious depression.

What else can I do?

  • Stop drinking
  • Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B
  • Get a pneumonia vaccine
  • Get a flu shot each year
  • Avoid toxins like paints, gasoline & insecticides
  • Check out all medications even non-prescription medication, with your pharmacist.