What is the treatment for Hepatitis C?
Treatment currently available for Hepatitis C works by helping the body to clear the Virus. A combination of weekly injections with Interferon, together with daily Ribavirin tablets taken by mouth, is the standard treatment for most patients.  Treatment is given for between 6 and 12 months.  Depending on the strain or ‘genotype’ of the virus that you have got, such treatment will typically result in the virus being cleared from the system in 50% - 75% of patients.  New drugs, given in addition to Interferon and Ribavirin, are now becoming available and are likely to be offered to some patients in future. 

When and if to take therapy?
Your decision about starting therapy and its duration will need to be a balance between the supposed effectiveness of the treatment and the risks of side-effects. You will need to discuss this with your health care worker and a lot may depend on the support network that you have around you.

Co-infection of Hepatitis B with hepatitis C
Studies indicate that co-infection with hepatitis C can suppress hepatitis B and that the hepatitis C virus is the dominant illness. However, sometimes the combination can lead to very aggressive progression and the risk of liver cancer is increased.

Co-infection of viral hepatitis with HIV
When referring to people with HIV and Chronic viral hepatitis, it is common to use the term "co-infection".

For more information you could contact the
Lanarkshire HIV, AIDS & Hepatitis Centre
t: 01236 712247 / 712246