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.

• Depression and certain other mental and neurologic disorders

• Active alcohol or drug abuse

• Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or psoriasis

• Low blood hemoglobin level (anemia) or blood cell counts

• Cirrhosis that is severe enough to cause symptoms such as jaundice, wasting, fluid retention that causes swelling, or mental disturbances