Treatment

Treatment for HCV has improved somewhat in recent years. Pegylated interferon and ribavirin is effective, to varying degrees, in about half of those treated. It does not cure patients although some have favorable long term response rates. For some, the virus is brought to undetectable levels for years though it is not known if it is entirely eradicated.  Other patient's viral count diminish, sometimes to undetectable levels, then return. But there are significant bad side effects for many patients, and not all patients are good candidates for conventional treatment. If you are in good health, middle aged or older - like most patients - and have limited disease progression, conventional treatment may or may not be a good option at present. Many reputable doctors suggest these patients take a watch and wait approach until better treatment options become available, which is years away, or disease progression worsens. One good source on treatment and clinical trials is the  HCVadvocate.org ., which is heavily funded by the drug industry.

Treatment for hepatitis B virus (HBV) has improved substantially in recently years. Unlike HCV, most adults exposed to HBV clear the virus, although many children exposed to HBV become chronically infected. There is a vaccine for HBV, but none for HCV. People with HCV should get vaccinated against HBV because co-infection may cause a life-threatening liver condition and complicate treatment options.

There are also a number of alternative and herbal treatments, most of which are of dubious value, including some developed and sold by patients. If it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is. Almost all of these treatments lack scientific proof of effectiveness. Again, if you consider alternative treatment options, be sure to research them thoroughly, not an easy task. And always consult with a doctor even if they are always the first to caution against it. Some herbal supplements are toxic to the liver and may adversely interact with convential medicine. There is reason to be concerned about the safety of some traditional chinese medicines as they may contain pollutants.

Those considering alternative healing arts might want to consider safer, more proven options like acupuncture, nutrition, yoga and meditation which can alleviate stress and strengthen the immune system without the risk posed by some herbal supplements.

Whether or not to attempt conventional treatment given existing options is a difficult decision for many patients. That choice is made more difficult by the proliferation of drug industry funded "consumer" groups, and, more recently, HIV/AIDS organizations, that want to derail HCV consumer advocacy by pushing treatment as the magic pill for all that ails us. There are five time as many Americans living with HCV than HIV. Most are undiagnosed. Since it can take decades to become symptomatic, many patients who acquired HCV during the peak decades of transmission, the 60's - 80's, are now becoming sick and, increasingly, dying. Viral hepatitis is now estimated to kill as many Americans as HIV/AIDS, and is now the major cause of mortality among those HCV/HIV co-infected, yet there is not even enough funding to accurately assess it's impact, nevermind develop and implement better treatment options.

It is not just HCV patients that need treatment. The public health system and medical community  have failed to adapt to the evolving nature of infectious disease. The system that worked so well in combatting HIV/AIDS has failed the HCV patient community and those HIV co-infected.

(Disclaimer: This website is for educational purposes only. MaHepPEP does not endorse or oppose treatment of any sort. It does not make, nor offer, medical advice. HCV patients should always consult with appropriate medical providers when making decisions about treatment).

Posted: Wed, Jun 11, 2008 09:11 AM
Updated Tue, Mar 31, 2009 12:00 AM