Hepatitis C – Treatment Options Available Worldwide
- 10.01.09
- Hepatitis C Treatments, 24, 48, Center, cure, drug, Duke, hepatitis, medical, study, telaprevir, University, virus, weeks
- 14 Comments
When it comes to Hep C millions of people across the globe get in to deep worry. The reason is that Hepatitis C can hit the liver real hard. This can result in serious conditions such as cirrhosis and cancer.
However, the good news is that this serious condition can be treated. In fact, you would be happy to know that a variety of treatment options are available, these days for Hep C.
First and foremost, one must know about the signs and symptoms of this disease. It is a fact that most people are not aware of the presence of this infectious virus in their bodies because the symptoms are quite similar to flu.
The disease can be easily transferred to the body via certain common practices such as needle sharing, unprotected sex, tattooing, body piercing and blood transfusion. Experts usually warn that spreading of this disease is as simple as blood-to-blood contact.
When it comes to treatment options, here are some of the most common things, a medical practitioner prescribes.
A cause of medications is often prescribed as soon as the patient is identified with the Hep C virus. The treatments provided to the patient for Hep C is known to be most efficient when prescribed in the early stages of the infection.
When this disease reaches the stage of being chronic, the treatments may not prove as effective. The complete cure of infection is not possible in chronic conditions.
The treatment of Hep C involves a lot of process such as interferon administration and a medication. This medication was actually designed for patients with leukemia.
Interferon is a type of natural body protein usually produced during the interference of viral infectious agents inside the body. The body produces interferon in very small quantities. However, this protein is powerful enough to fight against harmful viral infections.
Luckily, the beneficial effects of interferon can easily be multiplied via modification of this protein in the laboratory. Most of the patients with mild and uncomplicated types of Hep C usually respond well to the interferon treatments. This helps in recovering from this disease once the patient completes his courses with this type of medications.
However, the patients with chronic or more advanced types of Hep C may suffer from relapse soon after they stop taking these treatments.
The treatments based on interferon is not appropriate for the patients suffering from chronic forms of Hep C. Additionally, long term treatments can result in severe side effects.
Experts usually recommend combination treatments for patients with chronic Hep C. These treatments involve use of peginterferon and strong antiviral medications. Ribavirin is widely used antiviral medication. Peginterferon is an interferon that is altered chemically.
Both Peginterferon and antiviral medications are given together in order to obtain best results. If taken in right doses and over the prescribed period of time, the patients are known to be immensely benefited.
Once diagnosed with Hep C, don’t panic. The reason is the availability of some great and effective treatments. Start the treatment as soon as you get diagnosed with Hep C.
Watch the video related to hepatitis c treatments
Jake and Jodie from the Hepatitis Council of Qld (HCQ) respond to Bill’s post about hepatitis C treatment www.youtube.com Hepatitis Council of Qld www.hepqld.asn.au For more information in Australia 1300 437 222 (1300 HEP ABC) http .
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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Hepatitis C – Treatment Options Available Worldwide
anyone who is interested in learning more about living with hep c may also find the book “Living With Hepatitis C for Dummies” useful. it explains how hep C affects the body and gives advice on today’s treatment options-from drugs (and their side effects) to transplants and alternative therapies-as well as tips on dealing with the emotional and financial burdens the disease brings with it.
selfservingbooks (.) com/dummies/Living+With+Hepatitis+C+for+Dummies/1219
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h jake n jodie;
on a mission 
i have just completed my second treatment for hep c i did my last shot of peg last week and last ribavirn 30 october dont know if iam clear till middle of november in uk not so good with hep c awareness i would like to help raise awareness hep c is global and is taking no prisoners
thank you
hunnybunuk female hepper
If you click on my name it takes you to my 360..read from the last page..I blogged treatment.
I did the medicine and can say while it wasn't a walk in the park it was worth it. I cleared the virus in '05 and am now sitting with a 2yr undetectable viral load
oh…cured? how about SVR= Sustanied Viral Responder
that's me! Its gone
The 'success rate' for genotypes 2&3 is 85%
Genotypes 1a,1b are 50%
Genotype 4 I'm not cetain..but I do know its a hard one to clear..tell your husband chin ^
Yes interferon/ribavarin i believe is the standard of treatment It does work, however, it gives you side effects (makes you feel like you're sick all the time) and doesn't necessarily work on everyone, I am not sure the cure rate but there are a significant amount of people this does not work with
Hepatitis C is a chronic liver disease caused by a virus. It is *normally* a very slow process where in the liver under goes inflammation and destruction by the virus. You can live very long and may not even die from the liver problems from hepatitis C. However, you do have an increase chance of liver failure and liver cancer from this disease.
There are many treatments available although some are not very effective for certain strains of hepatitis C. Medications such as interferon or ribavirin have been used in to treat hepatitis C. There are a lot of preventive things that your friend can do to help himself — stay away from medications or alcohol that can tax the liver, get immunized for the hepatitis B, have an bi-annual liver enzyme check to see how his liver is function, etc.
He should be under the care of a physician if he hasn't done so.
Thanks Jake and Jodie being 12 weeks into the treatment it’s getting rough but your 100% right not do this treatment alone… I’m lucky to have a beautiful wife and I have started some counceling because of the issues arising from the treatment… I’ve found work hard and only worked 3 day in 11 week which work are not to happy about and im fighting to save it… I’m having bad side effects so far worse than I thought I would have but I am hoping the end goal is worth it… Thanks again
Jake & Jodie—greetings from La La Land (Los Angeles)…I’m about 6.75 months through a 72 week course of treatment and it is haaaarrrrrddd. I 2nd everything you say, esp. the need for support—simply having a few close friends to talk to has been crucial to me–esp. when I need someone to remind me that the dark times are as a result of the interferon, Neupogen (ugh!), riba, etc. and that they will pass and I will feel human again…thanks for all your good work;)
While hep c does affect organs other than your liver, it is unlikely that the sore throat, coughing, etc are from hep c.
Hi.
Jake you mentioned that you did not clear yet there were some benefits from treatment for you… can you expand on that? Isn’t there the possibility of long-term damage and other health problems from doing the interferon treatment?
I’ve been avoiding mainstream treatment for 5 years now, just having a difficult time committing to it. I don’t want to feel worse than I already do.
Thanks for the video and any words you can share.
peace,
Mark
Hi Piddle
Here are some ideas to get healed.
Cause
The most common cause of hepatitis is a virus that can occur in five potential forms: A, B, C, D, or E. Other causes include excessive alcohol consumption, drug abuse (including pharmaceutical drugs, such as acetaminophen), overexposure to chemicals, and, sometimes, as a reaction to properly prescribed medications.
In recent years, hepatitis C has been on the increase. It is most frequently caused as a result of blood transfusions. Typically, people with hepatitis C are identified either because they have abnormal liver tests or because of a hepatitis C antibody test. A positive test does not necessarily mean serious liver disease, however. People with hepatitis C may have no liver disease, a mild form of chronic hepatitis, or a more serious form of hepatitis that may progress over a number of years to cirrhosis. The usual indications are a positive antibody test for the hepatitis C virus, abnormal liver tests for more than six to twelve months, and a liver biopsy that shows chronic active hepatitis. Approximately 20% of patients chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus will go on to develop cirrhosis.
Note: Infectious hepatitis can be easily spread two weeks before and one week after jaundice appears. The feces of people with hepatitis contain the virus. Therefore, very strict toilet hygiene and hand and cloth washing should be observed during this time.
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Natural Cures
Aromatherapy: Rosemary can help stimulate liver function.
Diet: Follow a diet low in protein and high in fresh vegetables to minimize stress on the liver. Also eat small meals throughout the day, and avoid foods such as refined sugars, alcohol, and caffeine, which cause stress on the liver, and be sure to drink plenty of filtered water. Drinking fresh lemon juice water every morning and evening followed by vegetable juice is also recommended to help liver function. Easily digested grains, such as millet, buckwheat, and quinoa, are also good food choices.
Enemas: Three warm enemas administered daily can help boost liver function. Also a colon and liver cleanse to clean out the toxins in the blood.
Herbs: The liver-cell regenerative properties of herbs such as milk thistle and licorice can be helpful. Take 1/2 teaspoon of this mixture three times a day. Tumeric combined with milk thistle has also been shown to help alleviate the symptoms of hepatitis B.
Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy is the application of water, ice, steam and hot and cold temperatures to maintain and restore health. Treatments include full body immersion, steam baths, saunas, sitz baths, colonic irrigation and the application of hot and/or cold compresses. Hydrotherapy is effective for treating a wide range of conditions and can easily be used in the home as part of a self-care program. Many Naturopathic Physicians, Physical Therapists and Day Spas use Hydrotherapy as part of treatment. I suggest several at-home hydrotherapy treatments.
Juice Therapy: The following juice combinations can be helpful: beet, carrot, and wheat grass juice; or garlic, burdock, flax, and black currants.
Nutritional Supplementation: Supplement with vitamin C, beta carotene, liver glandulars, milk thistle extract, vitamin B complex, adrenal glandulars, lipotropic factors, pantothenic acid, free-form amino acids, betaine hydrochloric acid (HCL), multi-enzymes, and evening primrose oil.
Alternative Professional Care
If your symptoms persist despite the above measures, seek the help of a qualified health professional. The following professional care therapies have all been shown to be useful for treating hepatitis: Ayurveda, Acupuncture, Detoxification Therapy, Magnetic Field Therapy, Naturopathic Medicine, and Oxygen Therapy.
Best of health to you
I am going for my 2nd shot tomorrow.
After the first shot, I recieved at 11 am. It did not effect me until 4pm. My neck started getting really sore (whip lash) it traveled to my other joints. Flu like symptoms….I had a fever and was FREEZZING!!! I then, broke my fever at 9:30pm. Thats how fast this moves thru your system! YOU DO NOT GET THOSE FLU LIKE SYPTOMS THE WHOLE TIME, JUST THE SHOT DAY'S!! The next day you will be tired. by the 3rd day your good to go!
the pills make you nauseated nothing big. Make sure you drink a LOT of water!!! You get tired quickly but, you just sleep!
I can't tell you if you are going to be too sick to work, some people can, others can't!
The side effects hit me today. area where shot was given puffed up and is very red. a bit confussed feeling. thinking is sometimes difficult. those are the pills though. I got a little depression yesterday but, I just call someone and talk about other stuff to get my mind off it.
I do have anti-depressants but, do not want to take until after tomorrow.
All in All it is barrable and its doing the job.
I take it easy, work when I get the "spirt" of energy.
It's not going to make you feel like your going to die, I think it easier than what others have said so far.
DO NOT READ SO MUCH OF THE STORIES ON LINE!!
Those are what messed with my head and scared the crap put of me. It's not like those stories!
I get 1 shot a week Interferon.
3 pills in the AM.
2 pills in the PM.
All I can tell you is you will be tired, Things may feel like a big effort!
thinking is bit difficult when your tired. I feel like I hit a wall.
Thats basically it so far, Contact me later to ask!
The liver has extraordinary regenerative powers that can regenerate itself after it has been damaged. But there is a point of no-return — and this would be cirrhosis. Cirrhosis cannot be reversed. If large areas of the liver are cirrhotic, then a transplant would be the only option. If only small parts are cirrhotic, then the liver may be able to continue functioning as is.
Yes, a healthy liver can be transplanted, but if the underlying cause of the cirrhosis is not treated/cured, it is possible that the new liver may quickly succumb to the same fate (depending on what the initial cause was)
Shots run close to $1,000.00 dollars EACH. Depending on length of treatment, type of treatment.
Oral meds, (antiviral) and those meds to help with sides can run 400 bucks a month.
Doctors visits and testing on a monthly schedule is additional money.
Your looking at up to a 90,000.00 dollar treatment for 48 weeks.
As for HMO's, I've no idea, but you might need to call them and ask.
Good luck.
I can tell you that current therapies for hcv will always have Interferon (of some sort) as it's main medication.
The latest treatments are Infergen and an oral antiviral drug as well as another type of combination with Interferon and Protease Inhibitors. (Study trials are being done now, ask your doctor about what the pharmicutical companies have to offer).
Good luck!
P.S. MILK THISTLE IS NOT A CURE FOR HCV- or any other herb/herbal concoction!