I have heard some people take a mix of medicines interferon and I dont know that other, but how many of these people get a cure?
2007-01-31 08:28:01 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
There are many subtypes of hepatitis C, called genotypes. The most common genotype in the US is genotype 1, and it is the most resistant to the antiviral treatment (pegylated interferon shots plus ribavirin pills). Genotypes 2 & 3 are also somewhat common in the US, but to a lesser degree than geno 1. The genotype determines two things: the likelihood of responding to treatment, and how long that treatment needs to be. Geno 1 has a sustained response rate of about 50% and has to be treated for a year. Geno's 2 & 3 respond better and have about an 80% SVR (sustained response rate- which means 6 months or one year after treatment has ended you are still undectable). These genotypes usually only need treatment for 6 months, but some doctors are treating geno 3's for a year now because they have had some relapse. The medical community has been reluctant to use the "c" word (cure) because this disease mutates, which makes it so difficult to treat and that's why there is no vaccine for it. However, in the last few years, more and more people are responding to the pegylated inf treatments and if they stay undetectable , the likelihood of it resurfacing is less and less with each passing year (2% chance of coming back at the 2 year mark). That is as long as you DONT RE-EXPOSE yourself to risk factors again. I have been undetectable for over 6 years, so I finally feel safe to use the C word, and now so does my doctor. Once you' ve been exposed, you will always test positive for the antibodies, but as long as the virus is undetectable, you are clear. Best wishes to you; I hope this information helped.
2007-02-01 01:57:29 · answer #1 · answered by cindy1323 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Treatment of short-term (acute) hepatitis C Most people with acute hepatitis C do not get treated, because they do not know they have the virus. If a person knows that he or she may have been exposed to the virus—such as a health care worker who is stuck by a needle—acute hepatitis C can be identified early. Most people who are known to have an acute hepatitis C infection get treated with medicine. In these cases, treatment for acute hepatitis C may help prevent long-term (chronic) infection, although there is still some debate over when to begin treatment and how long to treat acute hepatitis C.3, 4 Treatment of long-term (chronic) hepatitis C It is common for people to live with hepatitis C for years without knowing they have it, simply because they do not have symptoms. Most people diagnosed with hepatitis C find out that they already have long-term, chronic infection. If your blood tests and liver biopsy show that you have chronic infection but no damage to your liver, you may not need treatment. If you do have some liver damage, you may be treated with a combination of medicines that fight the viral infection. Treatment of relapse or nonresponse Sometimes, you can take more medicine if your first round of treatment did not work very well. The decision to try treatment again is based on how well you tolerated the first treatment, how well the first round of treatment worked, the dose of the first treatment, and the genotype of your virus. Talk to your doctor about whether you might try medicines again. Treatment if the condition gets worse Severe liver damage caused by chronic hepatitis C usually takes 20 or more years to develop. If you have hepatitis C, there are certain factors that may help you predict your risk of severe liver damage.
2016-03-28 22:43:12 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, Hep C is treatable but not curable.
Actually, all hepatitis stays in your system. I had Hep A and I am not allowed to give blood or donate organs.
2007-01-31 08:35:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
dont listen to the people above me. there are two types, type 1 and type 2. one of which is curable. its very muich like curing cancer. theres alot of kemo (spelled wrong, but its radiation theropy) and drugs that help balance out your bodies chemistry while going thru it. then theres a pill to take afterward to help stave off a resurge of the hepatitis.
**EDIT** sorry, i misinformed you. it isnt CURABLE, but it is treatable.
2007-01-31 08:38:23 · answer #4 · answered by Warnstedt 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Hepatitis C is Hepatitis C. There is no cure for Hepatitis C.
Here is more info on it.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/c/faq.htm
2007-01-31 08:34:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
nope there is only one hep c.... and it not curible..
there is also a hep A & B.... which are curible.
2007-01-31 08:34:25 · answer #6 · answered by laydenirvine 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋