Any new drugs or advice for Hep. C infection?

Answer 1

Hepatitis is a group of viral infections that affect the liver causing acute/chronic inflammation which eventually may lead to liver failure or cancer and ultimately death. The B, C, and D group are blood borne and/or sexually transmitted or by vertical transmission from mother to child. Hepatitis C viral infection (HCV) is notoriously known to cause chronic liver disease and the risk for liver hepatoma/cancer is much higher than for HBV.
Just like most viral infections, there is no definite cure by antiviral or antibiotic therapy. However, some antiviral drugs such as lamivudine (sometimes used to treat HIV) may hold some promise but no definite cure. It is important to note that most people do not die eventually from chronic hepatitis since it is a chronic disease. They may die of other causes. If you are sexually-active, also consider protecting your spouse/partner from picking up the infection by using appropriate barrier methods.

I would advice you go on a high carbohydrate diet/low protein diet; take multivitamins supplements. have your doctor keep an eye on your liver function tests say on a yearly basis. Most other drugs used as supportive therapy are fraught with bad side effects.

Answer 2

No new drugs out yet; they say protease inhibitors will be out in 3-5 years and will be used in conjunction with the current pegylated interferon & ribavirin treatment.
My advice would be to treat it sooner rather than later. You have a 50-80% chance of successful treatment depending on your genotype. Research shows that the lower the viral load, the better your chances of responding to the treatment medications. Why wait until your liver is even more scarred and not functioning well. Yes, there are side effects to the treatment, but treatment is temporary- the rest of your life is , well, the rest of your life! Why not at least try to clear the virus- you may actually do it! I did the treatment 6 years ago, and have been clear ever since. I have energy again, and can live my life once again. Best wishes to you whatever you decide to do.
By the way, Hep C is rarely sexually transmitted (1-3%) unless you stick yourselves with pins or have MSM sex (male to male-which has a higher risk).