Today's treatments can help prevent liver damage, liver cancer and even cure the infection for many people. Your doctor will help you choose a treatment plan based on what type of hepatitis C you have (which genotype), how long you've had the virus, which other medications you’re taking, if you've been treated before and how much liver damage you have. In some cases, doctors may recommend waiting to begin treatment.
If you and your doctor decide treatment is right for you now, your treatment plan may include a combination of different drugs (usually taken for 3 to 6 months) to fight your specific type of hepatitis C. If you follow your treatment plan very carefully, you have an excellent chance of being cured. Being "cured" of hepatitis C means the virus can no longer be detected in your blood 6 months after treatment. Your doctor may want to test your blood again after one year to confirm your body is still clear of the virus.
To find out which treatment options are best for you, ask your doctor:
- How much hepatitis C do I have in my body (or, what is my viral load)?
- Has the hepatitis C virus damaged my liver?
- If my current treatment isn't working as well as we'd hoped, what are my other options?
- How and when should I take my medications?
- What are the possible side effects of my meds and what can I do about them?
- If you're prescribing new medications for me, should I keep taking the old ones?
- Are there any over-the-counter medications I should avoid?
- Is there anything I can do for my symptoms, such as fatigue or insomnia?
- What are the benefits and risks of certain supplements, such as milk thistle?
- How can I best manage my other health conditions along with hepatitis C?
- How often should I come back for follow-up visits?
