Management
Typically, treatment for acute hepatitis C has been considered unnecessary. More recent data has shown that early detection and treatment may be associated with higher rates of SVR. Some studies have shown rates of SVR after treatment druing the acute phase between 75 to 100 percent. Though the recommendations are not clear yet, if you have acute HIV, talk to your gastroenterologist. Doctors also recommend taking it easy for awhile. You should have no trouble eating your regular diet in moderation, but avoid alcohol and clarify which prescription and over-the-counter drugs should be avoided with your doctor.Chronic hepatitis C has a different treatment plan. For most people, doctors will prescribe peginterferon and ribavirin. Studies show that using both drugs together gives a better response. If you have cirrhosis, alcohol is strictly advised against.
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Prevention
Preventing hepatitis C infection is straightforward: avoid any contact with items that could directly expose you to infected blood. Some common examples would be razors, needles and toothbrushes. Also, certain actions are at higher risk for spreading hepatitis C. Examples of these would include injecting street drugs without sterile needles and works and having sex with someone who is infected (though this doesn't happen often).Unfortunately, there is currently no vaccine or effective immune globulin therapy for hepatitis C as there are for hepatitis A and B. The best defense against hepatitis C is to avoid direct contact with infected blood. However, people with chronic hepatitis C should ask their doctor about getting vaccines for hepatitis A and B in order to prevent multiple infections. Also, people with hepatitis C should protect themselves against other strains of hepatitis C and HIV because research shows that the risk of cirrhosis is even higher in people with these coinfections.
Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. June 20, 2008. Hepatitis C.
Berenguer M, Wright, TL. Hepatitis C. In: M Feldman, LS Friedman, LJ Brandt (eds), Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease, 8e. Philadelphia, Elsevier, 2006. 1681-1712.
Dienstag, JL. Acute Viral Hepatitis. In: AS Fauci, E Braunwald, DL Kasper, SL Hauser, DL Longo, JL Jameson, J Loscaizo (eds), Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, 17e. New York, McGraw-Hill, 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com.
Dienstag, JL. Chronic Hepatitis. In: AS Fauci, E Braunwald, DL Kasper, SL Hauser, DL Longo, JL Jameson, J Loscaizo (eds), Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, 17e. New York, McGraw-Hill, 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com.
