 |
 |
home
what's
my risk?
about
Hep A
about
Hep B
about
Hep C
how
it's passed on
symptoms & effects
treatment
prevention
Hep
C + HIV
FAQs
Hep
B Recall
find
a clinic
links
contact us
 |
||
|
||
 |
Once a blood test has shown someone has hepatitis C (antibodies appear within 6 months of infection), further tests can measure any liver damage. Treatment can be long (6-12 months) and with unpleasant side effects. These can be similar to the symptoms of hepatitis C itself: flu-like aches, pains in the joints and depression, which may get less over time.
Two drugs taken together are used to treat the infection:
pegylated
interferon (injected once a week)
ribavirin
(taken daily as a pill)
Treatment only cures hepatitis C for about half of people with it. When treatment stops the infection can come back. And if someone is cured they can become infected again if they put themselves at risk.
If someone’s liver fails, a transplant is possible but the new liver nearly always gets infected because virus is still in the body. During treatment doctors usually advise against drinking alcohol. Smoking, recreational drugs and fatty food may also be advised against.
If someone has HIV, a decision will be made about which infection is posing more of a threat and so needs treating first.
Detailed Hepatitis C treatment information can be found at www.aidsmap.com
Do you have a question about Hepatitis C that is not answered on this website? Try www.hepCuk.info, the NHS FaCe It website or www.britishlivertrust.org.uk.
 |