2006-12-09 00:37:20 · 4 answers · asked by Frances M 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
In order to produce a vaccine the cells that the virus is in has to be completely surrounded - this cannot be done with the Hep C virus because there are 6 different types of Hep C that we know of so far. Then on top of the type (1 - 6) you also have what are called quasi-species. This means you could have Hep C genotype 1a,b,c,d or 2 a,b,c,d etc. etc.
So many different genotypes make it impossible at this stage for a vaccine to be produced.
2006-12-09 05:39:36 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
THERE IS NO VACCINE FOR HEP C BECAUSE, LIKE THE COMMON COLD, ITS RATE OF MUTATION IS SO FAST THAT AN EFFECTIVE VACCINE CAN'T BE PRODUCED.
THATS NOT TO SAY THERE ISN'T TREATMENT. THERE HAS BEEN SOME BENEFIT FROM USING PEGELATED INTERFERONS AND ANTI-VIRALS WITH A 'CURE' RATE OF ABOUT 40%.
OBVIOUSLY, THE BEST THING IS TO AVOID GETTING IT IN THE FIRST PLACE, BUT THINGS ARE LOOKING UP FOR THOSE UNFORTUNATE ENOUGH TO CONTRACT IT.
2006-12-09 01:10:12 · answer #2 · answered by DR ROB 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Till near last year, the virus itself was not isolated yet, for vaccine preparation, the organism (virus, bacteria, fungus) should be isolated first, then vaccine can be prepared
2006-12-09 01:27:27 · answer #3 · answered by ahmadhashem41 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course there is a Hep C vaccine. Also Hep A. They are each a series of 2 shots I recall. See your health departtment.
2006-12-09 00:45:01 · answer #4 · answered by snvffy 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋