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Hepatitis C (cont.)

Medical Treatment

If you are dehydrated, your health care provider may prescribe IV fluids to help you feel better.

If you are experiencing significant nausea and vomiting, you will receive medicines to help control these symptoms.

If your symptoms are well controlled, you can be cared for at home. If dehydration or other symptoms are severe or if you are showing signs of confusion or delirium, then you may be hospitalized.

The treatment that has shown the most promise in chronic hepatitis C is an agent called pegylated interferon alpha (Pegasys, PEG-Intron). This agent is often combined with an antiviral drug called ribavirin (Virazole).

  • Decisions to start medications for treatment of hepatitis C are usually made in consultation with a gastroenterologist or liver specialist (hepatologist).
  • The decision is based on the results of lab tests of liver function, on results of tests for HCV and liver biopsy, and on the person's age and general medical condition.
Certain medical conditions preclude the use of interferon.



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Hepatitis C - How Was Diagnosis Established

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