A vial of blood labeled "Hepatitis C - Test" to depict testing for hepatitis C treatment.

Hepatitis C is a severe viral infection affecting millions worldwide. It can lead to liver damage, cirrhosis, and even death if left untreated.

However, thanks to advancements in medical research, there are now highly effective treatments available for hepatitis C. Let’s discuss everything you need to know about hepatitis C treatment, from how it works to its success rate and potential side effects.

What Is Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes liver inflammation (swelling). The liver is a vital organ that helps your body digest food, store energy, and remove toxins. When inflamed with this viral infection, liver can’t function properly.

How Does Hepatitis C Spread?

Hepatitis C spreads through blood-to-blood contact. This means that for someone to get infected, their blood has to come into contact with blood that contains the virus. Here are some common ways hepatitis C can spread:

Sharing Needles: Using needles or syringes that someone else has used.
Blood Transfusions: Receiving blood from a donor before 1992 when blood was not screened for HCV.
Unclean Medical Practices: Using medical equipment that isn’t properly sterilized.
Mother to Baby: An infected mother can pass the virus to her baby during childbirth.
Tattoo and Piercing Equipment: Using tools that aren’t sterile.

It’s important to note that hepatitis C doesn’t spread through casual contact like hugging, kissing, or sharing food and drinks.

Symptoms of Hepatitis C

Many people with hepatitis C don’t have symptoms, especially in the early stages. However, some might experience:

Fatigue: Feeling very tired.
Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin and eyes.
Dark Urine: Urine that looks darker than usual.
Abdominal Pain: Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen.
Loss of Appetite: Not feeling hungry.
Nausea and Vomiting: Feeling sick to the stomach and throwing up.

Because symptoms can be mild or absent, many people don’t know they have hepatitis C until they get tested.

Treatment for Hepatitis C

The good news is that hepatitis C can be treated and often cured with medication.

Antiviral Medications

The main treatment for hepatitis C involves antiviral medications. These are drugs that help your body fight off the hepatitis C virus. The goal of these medications is to clear the virus from your bloodstream, which means getting rid of the infection completely.

Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAAs)

Currently, direct-acting antivirals, or DAAs, are the most common and effective medications to treat hepatitis C. They work by targeting specific parts of the virus to stop it from replication. Here are some key points about DAAs:

High Cure Rates: More than 90% of people who take DAAs as prescribed get cured of hepatitis C.
Short Treatment Time: Most people need to take DAAs for just 8 to 12 weeks.
Few Side Effects: DAAs generally have mild side effects, including headache, fatigue, nausea, and diarrhea.

How Does Treatment Work?

Here is a step-by-step guide to how hepatitis C treatment works:

Step 1: Diagnosis and Genotype Testing

Before starting treatment, doctors will perform blood tests to confirm that you have hepatitis C. They will also check the genotype of the hepatitis C virus. There are different types (genotypes) of hepatitis C, and knowing which one you have helps doctors choose the best medication for you.

Step 2: Starting Medication

Once the diagnosis is confirmed and the genotype is identified, your doctor will prescribe a specific DAA medication. You will take this medication as a pill, usually once a day.

Step 3: Monitoring During Treatment

While you’re taking the antiviral medication, your doctor will schedule regular check-ups to ensure everything is going well. They might do blood tests to see how well the medication is working and check for any side effects.

Step 4: Completing Treatment

It’s important to take the antiviral medication exactly as your doctor instructs and to complete the full course, even if you start feeling better before it’s finished. Stopping early might mean the virus is not fully cleared from your body.

Step 5: Follow-Up Testing

After completing your medication, your doctor will do follow-up blood tests to ensure the virus is completely gone. This is usually done 12 weeks after completing treatment. If the virus is not detected, you are considered cured.

What Happens After Treatment?

Monitoring Liver Health

Even after being cured of hepatitis C, it’s important to keep an eye on your liver health. If there was any liver damage before treatment, your doctor will continue to monitor this to ensure it doesn’t get worse.

Preventing Reinfection

Being cured of hepatitis C doesn’t protect you from getting it again. It’s important to avoid behaviors that can lead to reinfection, such as sharing needles or unsterilized equipment for tattoos or piercings.

Dealing with Side Effects

Most people tolerate DAAs well, but some might experience mild side effects. Here’s what you might expect:

Headache: A common side effect of hepatitis C treatment that can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.
Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired is another common side effect of hepatitis C treatment.
Nausea and Diarrhea: Some people might feel sick to their stomach or have loose stools.

If you experience any severe side effects or reactions to hepatitis C treatment, it’s important to contact your doctor immediately.