If you are diagnosed as Hepatitis C you may have lots of question and confusions about it and there are lots of people live with HCV with out knowing it. In the case of HCV, the treatment at correct time is very important, other wise it may leads to damage to the liver.
So, here are some questions and it’s answers about HCV , which give depth knowledge about HCV.
How soon should I get treated for hepatitis C?
If you have chronic hepatitis C, you should be treated right away. If you didn’t treated at the right time, hepatitis C can cause chronic inflammation in the liver that leads to cirrhosis or end-stage liver disease. By treating the infection as soon as possible, you might be able to stave off some of the permanent damage that can occur to the liver.
What type of hepatitis C treatment will I start?
Usually hepatitis C is treated with antiviral medications likes Epclusa, Myhep all, Velpanat, etc. Your doctor will determine what “type” of hepatitis C you have — i.e., its genotype — and, depending on those results, will recommend one or more medications to take. Some medicines can treat all hepatitis C genotypes, whereas others treat one specific genotype. There are several drugs/drug combinations that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. You can find these medicines in lost of online pharmacies eg: Apollo, GDMeds,98.4degree,1mg,etc.
Can hepatitis C be cured?
Yes HCV is curable. The current antiviral medications can cure hepatitis C in more than 90 percent of people after 8 to 12 weeks of treatment. But other viruses, including HIV and hepatitis B, can only be suppressed, but hepatitis C is one we can actually cure.
That said, people who’ve been cured of hepatitis C aren’t immune to the virus, meaning they can be re infected in the future. You’re at higher risk for catching hepatitis C if you’re injecting drugs, are receiving hemodialysis, have HIV, or get a body piercing or tattoo with nonsterile instruments.
What are the side effects of the treatment?
Whenever you begin a medication, there are always risks of side effects. But unlike the older treatments for hepatitis C, the newer antivirals tend to be very well tolerated. These side effects, include fatigue, insomnia, and nausea.
Some medications can also reactivate a hepatitis B infection, which can cause serious liver complications. For that reason, you will also be monitored for hep B, the experts says.
What types of follow-up care will I need during the weeks I’m being treated?
Before treatment, your doctor will likely check your blood work. Then, they will check it again one month after treatment has started. At the three-month mark, when most people have been cured and will stop taking the medication, your doctor will look at your lab work again, then decide next step.
Is there anything I shouldn’t do while taking hepatitis C medication?
You shouldn’t drink, because alcohol will interfere with the medication specifically. Rather, alcohol can lead to cirrhosis and advanced liver disease. If people have cirrhosis, we recommend that they don’t consume alcohol and avoid maximum processed foods.
Can I give hepatitis C to the people I live with?
It’s possible but not likely. Hepatitis C is usually transmitted by blood, so you won’t give it to your friends and family through everyday contact. People usually get the virus via injection drug use or needlestick injuries in a healthcare environment. In the past, they could have received infected blood during a blood transfusion before blood screening for hepatitis C became available in the early 1990s, according to the CDC.
The CDC points out that sex is a possible route of transmission, as is sharing items such as razors and toothbrushes, which could contain contaminated blood, but both are unlikely ways to pass along the infection.
What can I expect after my treatment is complete?
If you have developed cirrhosis, you will be screened regularly for liver cancer with an abdominal ultrasound every six months. This scan is very reasonable price-wise and is easily accessible by experts. You will also likely get an alpha fetoprotein (AFP) tumor marker test, which is a blood test that can detect liver cancer and is used to monitor the health of people with cirrhosis or liver cancer. Keep in mind, too, that even if you’ve been cured of the infection, you can still catch it again.
Should I be embarrassed that I have hep C?
No, There is no need to be embarrassed, here is an unfortunate stigma associated with hepatitis C, and that can make people shy away from being tested or treated for the virus it will make the situation more worsen. To avoid this expert recommends that all adults over 18 be screened for hepatitis C, and that women get tested during each pregnancy.
There is only way is to prevent HCV is proper diagnosis and treatment at correct time.
