Is Hepatitis C Curable? Exploring Modern Treatment Options

Although there is no vaccine to cure or avoid hepatitis C, with the help of proper treatment, the effect of the virus can be reduced to a great extent and this is considered to be adequate treatment. When the hepatitis C virus is not detected in the patient's blood 12 weeks after the completion of treatment, doctors consider the patient cured. This condition is known as sustained virological response (SVR).

Hepatitis C is one of the most serious hepatitis viruses, but in the last few years new treatments for this disease have been discovered. With the help of this treatment, this virus can be managed better. The antiviral drugs that are now used to cure hepatitis C can also help prevent complications of chronic liver disease. A report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) claims that less than half of the patients suffering from hepatitis can be cured without treatment. At the same time, in most cases, hepatitis C takes a serious form and in this situation proper treatment is needed.

It is also important to understand that by the time this disease is detected, the virus has completely damaged the liver. Therefore, if someone feels that he has come in contact with the hepatitis C virus, he should get himself tested immediately.

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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the antiviral drug Mart (glecaprevir and pibrentasvir) in 2019 for patients with hepatitis C genotype. With the help of this drug, hepatitis C can be cured in 8 weeks, whereas earlier the treatment took 12 weeks. This is the first approved 8-week hepatitis C treatment for adults and children 12 years and older.

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At present, there is no vaccine available to prevent hepatitis C. Vaccines are available only for other hepatitis viruses including hepatitis A and hepatitis B. If someone has hepatitis C, then the doctor may recommend getting the hepatitis A and B vaccine. Although there is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C, efforts can be made to avoid it, which are as follows -

• Do not use someone else's needle, razor blade or nail clippers.
• While giving first aid, try to avoid the fluid coming out of the patient's body.
• Although hepatitis C does not spread through sex, still use a condom while having sex.
• Always keep away from illegal drugs.
• Be careful while getting a tattoo or piercing done in the body. Always get this work done from a good shop.
• Hepatitis C spreads through blood, so special care should be taken during blood transfusion.

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Of course, it is difficult to eradicate hepatitis C completely, but it can definitely be managed well through some medicines. By doing this, conditions like liver cirrhosis or liver damage can be avoided. No vaccine has been developed yet to prevent hepatitis C, but it can definitely be prevented through a little caution.