Hepatitis C
Alternative names:
non-A non-B hepatitis
Treatment:
Some patients with hepatitis C benefit from being treated
with interferon or a combination of interferon and ribavirin
- Rebetron. The treatment is given by injection, and has a
number of side effects including: flu-like symptoms, headaches,
fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, depression
and thinning of hair. The treatment with interferon may also
interfere with the production of white blood cells and platelets,
while the combination therapy (Rebetron) can cause sudden,
severe anemia and birth defects. Women should avoid pregnancy
during and for 6 months following treatment. Generally, 50-60
percent of patients respond to treatment initially and continued
response occurs in about 10-40 percent of patients. Treatment
may be prolonged and given a second time to those who relapse
after initial treatment. Rest may be recommended during the
acute phase of the disease
when the symptoms are most severe. People with hepatitis C
should avoid any substances toxic to the liver (hepatotoxic)
and should limit their use of acetaminophen (Tylenol). All
patients with hepatitis C should be immunized against hepatitis
A. People with hepatitis C should also be careful not to take
vitamins, nutritional supplements, or new over-the-counter
medications without first discussing it with their doctor.
While doctors may differ in their opinions about drinking
alcohol, most recommend against it for hepatitis C patients.
Support groups:
The stress of illness
can often be helped by joining a support
group where members share common experiences and problems.
See liver disease - support
group.
Expectations (prognosis):
Hepatitis C is one of the largest causes for chronic liver
disease in the United States today. It accounts for about
20 percent of acute viral hepatitis, 60 to 70 percent of chronic
hepatitis, and 30 percent of cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease,
and liver cancer. At least 80 percent of patients with acute
hepatitis C ultimately develop chronic liver infection, and
most of these patients have accompanying chronic liver disease.
Complications:
Calling your health care provider:
Call your health care provider if symptoms of hepatitis
develop or if you believe you have been exposed to the hepatits
C virus.
Update Date: 06/30/00
Updated By:J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director,
Utah Health Informatics and adam.com
editorial
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