People getting infected with the HCV virus are at a greater risk of developing hepatitis C. It is a gravely serious infection that majorly affects the liver, leading to liver inflammation and development of liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma). Although with the latest developments in medicine, this infection can be managed efficiently, you should consult a renowned medical professional as soon as possible to prevent further long-term complications.
If you are confused about booking a consultation session with the best doctor on board, you can reach out to Dr. A.S. Soin, for expert treatment for HCV management. With multiple years of experience, he can conduct accurate diagnosis and treatment for HCV infection.
This article is a comprehensive guide to learn about HCV prevention and treatment. So, in this article, you will have a overall idea about the most prominent treatment options available for this infection in detail. Proceed to read to enrich your knowledge regarding hepatitis C treatments right away!
Treatment options available
The treatment options currently available for Hepatitis C are provided below. Check out this list to learn more precisely:
Antiviral medicines
Antiviral medicines for HCV also known as DAAs (Direct acting antivirals) are highly effective in treating this infection. These medications are used to eliminate all the HCV viruses present in the body. If there’s no trace of the virus found in the blood for at least 12 weeks of the antiviral treatment, the treatment for this infection is considered to be successful. The tenure of the antiviral medication treatment can greatly vary depending upon the condition of the patient. Some treatment plans can last up to 12 weeks, whereas some can even extend more than that. It completely depends upon the genotype of the HCV virus you are infected with. During an antiviral medication treatment, the patient is reviewed periodically by the care team to monitor for positive or negative symptoms. If the patient shows signs of a cure, the treatment is carried forward; if they show side effects, the doctor alters the treatment plan.
Surgical treatment (Liver resection and Liver transplantation)
Patients with chronic hepatitis C are at high risk of developing liver cancer in the presence of which surgical resection of tumor can be done if it is early liver cirrhosis with localized liver cancer. In case of decompensated liver cirrhosis or if the tumor burden is high but limited to liver one may be offered liver transplantation surgery after thorough evaluation. Liver transplantation refers to the removal of the damaged liver and replacing with a healthy donor liver. However, liver transplantation surgery is not a permanent cure for the HCV virus. You can still get infected with this virus after a liver transplantation surgery, but it does address the irreversible complications caused by HCV virus like cirrhosis and/or development of liver cancer. Hence, antiviral medications are required to be continued after the surgery to eliminate the possibility of the virus returning. Liver transplantation surgery requires great precision and expertise; hence, it should be done with utmost caution and excellence. Reaching out to a highly experienced surgeon can greatly help you achieve the best results post-treatment. With Dr. A.S. Soin, you can rest assured that you are getting the most reliable liver transplantation surgery with utmost accountability.
Emerging therapies for hepatitis C treatment
The list of emerging therapies for the treatment of this liver disease is as follows:
Vaccine for hepatitis C treatment
Researchers are exploring novel immunization strategies, such as DNA vaccines and mRNA vaccines, for HCV. These vaccines utilize genetic material from the virus to induce an immune response. mRNA vaccines, in particular, have gained attention due to their rapid development capabilities, as demonstrated by the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.
Vaccine for prevention
Until now, no effective vaccine for the prevention of this virus has been discovered. However, scientists are making efforts to come up with a vaccine framework designed to prevent the onset of this infection in the body.
Things to take care of during hepatitis C treatment
If you are undergoing treatment for this liver inflammation disease, be sure to consider the following things during the treatment to induce better and quicker recovery:
Avoid smoking and drinking
Smoking during the treatment can greatly increase your chances of further liver damage. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to significant liver damage, thereby resulting in this complex liver infection. So, avoid consuming large quantities of alcohol frequently.
Engage in moderate physical activities
Performing moderate physical exercises can help you stay fit and active post-treatment. However, ensure not to tire yourself out by practicing heavy workouts, as it can take a great toll on your entire recovery process.
Practice safe sex
Sex safe is necessary to make the Hepatitis C treatment fruitful. Use condoms to prevent the spread of HCV virus. You can also ask your sexual partner to get HCV tested to stay safe.
Do not share personal tools
Use your own nail clippers, razors, toothbrushes, etc. Since these are personal tools, sharing them with another person can enhance the chances of HCV exposure. Hence, be alert and keep your personal tools out of anyone’s reach, especially children.
Use separate medical equipment
You should practice using your own needles and syringes for medical requirements. Do not opt to share these medical items with someone else, as it can lead to the spread of this pathogen. Also, if you wish to get tattooed, choose salons that use separate tools for individual clients and practice proper hygiene.
Disinfection of wounds
Proper and quick disinfection of wounds is necessary to prevent the spread of the bloodborne pathogen, HCV. If a wound remains exposed to blood and other bodily fluids for a long time, the chances of getting infected with this infection are enhanced.
Conclusion
Getting yourself diagnosed and treated quickly as soon as you experience the symptoms of hepatitis C can greatly elevate the chances of quick recovery. However, most of the time, you might not come across prominent symptoms until significant liver damage.
To stay on the safer side, get yourself tested immediately if you think you have been exposed to the HCV virus. You can consult Dr. A.S. Soin, a globally renowned liver transplant surgeon. With over 5000+ successful surgeries, he can provide you with the best-catered treatment solutions to combat this infection efficiently. Reach out to him to mitigate your medical grievances as soon as possible!
