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How Is Hepatitis C Treated?

The US National Institutes of Health has issued treatment guidelines for hepatitis C. The report recommends a combination of interferons and ribavirin because this combination is more effective than either drug alone. Specifically, certain pegylated interferons (for example, peginterferon alfa-2a [Pegasys]) have improved sustained response rates. (Pegylation is a chemical process that makes the interferon last longer in the body, and sustained response means complete disappearance of the hepatitis C virus 6 months after stopping treatment.)

HCV has several subtypes, called genotypes. Treatment results show that a sustained response occurs less frequently in patients with the genotype 1 virus. Genotype 1 is the most common type of HCV infection and requires therapy for at least a year, whereas shorter treatment is possible with genotype 2 and 3 infections. Researchers continue to study other drugs that may help treat hepatitis C. Additionally, the following recommendations may guard against further damage to the liver:

• Take it easy and get plenty of rest.
  
  
• Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
  
  
• Do not drink alcohol of any kind, including beer, wine, and hard liquor.
  
  
• Avoid medicines and substances that can harm the liver (for example, large doses of acetaminophen [Tylenol] and other acetaminophen-containing preparations).
  
  
• Avoid prolonged, vigorous exercise until symptoms start to improve.