Hepatitis C

Treatment

HCV-positive persons should be evaluated for presence of chronic liver disease, including assessment of liver function tests, evaluation for severity of liver disease and possible treatment. As there are several genotypes of HCV it is important to know the type patient is infected with as it changes the treatment strategy. All the genotypes are different in the response for the medications.

Genotype 2 and 3 responds much better to the medications then genotype 1. To get a treatment you will have to contact your family doctor or internist. if he is unable to give you recommendations then he can refer you to a hepatologist, specialist in the treatment of liver diseases. Current recommended treatment is Combination therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. This can drop the viral count up to 50-80%. The time period and response to the treatment varies among the patients. Usual time period to see a good response is about 24 weeks after starting the treatment.

Prevention

Hepatitis C is a contagious disease in some form but can be avoided by taking some precautions. Avoid causal sex with unknown partner, faithful monogamous relationship, using condoms, do not share tooth brush or razors. Pregnant women should get counseling for HCV as some babies may get infected with HCV during child birth.