Most people are familiar with the disease Hepatitis C because of increasing today. At present, approximately 2 billion people over the world are patients of this disease. New generation direct-acting antiviral medications are available to chronic hepatitis C. They are more effective, easier to take and have fewer side-effects than the older medications. The Government has listed these new medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), ensuring they are accessible and affordable to people with hepatitis C. This is a leap forward in the management and treatment of hepatitis C.
There are a variety of hepatitis C treatment medications offered for all genotypes, with various stages of liver disease today. Until a few years ago there were only two treatments available to treat Hepatitis C and for the first time bring a cure for the Hep C virus. Improvements in Hepatitis C treatment include majority of treatments today are used without and many can be used with or without ribavirin, depending on factors. Advances in shorter treatment times with less side effects and higher cure rates of 95% or greater are available in a wide variety of new hepatitis C treatment options.
Each patient and their physician will need to look at the pro’s and con’s of each medication. Each has side effects to be considered. Talk to your doctor about treatment side effects and which treatment is best suited for you. Hep C treatment is determined by genotype (virus strain), viral load, liver condition, any past treatment history and overall medical condition as well as all medications and supplements the patient takes. Length of treatment will depend on; genotype, liver condition, viral load, and if any prior treatment history. See each treatment for information on side effects and other important information.
Even adults are prone to diseases development if they aren’t vaccinated. Chronic Hepatitis C does not result in immediate symptoms. The first symptoms arise within 6 months after the infection takes place. Symptoms and development of chronic liver diseases takes around 20 to 30 years to appear.
Currently, the most effective therapy for hepatitis C is a drug combination consisting of pegylated and ribavirin. Pegylated is taken weekly as an injection and ribavirin is a twice daily tablet. The treatment is a form of chemotherapy and the ability to tolerate it varies widely for each person.
In most people, ribavirin causes flu-like symptoms with muscular aches, irritability, loss of appetite and depression. Rashes and hair loss also may occur. and ribavirin both reduce blood cell counts, which may require dose reduction or discontinuation of treatment. Regular laboratory testing during the treatment is essential.
Fortunately for adults, most who become infected with hepatitis B do not contract the chronic illness and are easily able to recover. However, for the small amount of adults as well as the majority of children and infants who contract the disease, hepatitis B treatment options are limited and will be a life-long battle.