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Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is an infectious disease and the most prevalent liver disease in the world. The liver inflammation caused by the hepatitis C-virus is often detected very late. Usually the body is not able to eliminate the virus by itself. Hepatitis C is spread through contact with infected blood, for instance through intravenous drug abuse (sharing drug needles, spoons…) etc.
One of the long-term effects of being hepatitis C positive is the development of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer after 20 to 30 years of infection. Hepatitis C is a leading indication for liver transplants.
If chronic hepatitis C is diagnosed, patients can be treated with interferon alpha, a substance that is also produced by the human body and helps cells to protect themselves against the virus. This is applied once per week by subcutaneous injection. In addition, ribavirin tablets are taken daily. The dosage and duration of therapy depends on various factors.
Some well-known side effects of this therapy are changes in the white and red blood count, depressive symptoms, and pruritus. To minimize complications, patients should be well informed and guided by an experienced physician during the whole treatment period.