Is Hepatitis C curable? What about types A and B?!


Question:

Is Hepatitis C curable? What about types A and B?


Answers:

Hepatitis C has a treatment available that has a success rate of 50-57% for genotype 1. Genotypes are subtypes of hepatitis C. In the US, most people have genotype 1a or 1b, the next most common are genotypes 2 & 3. Genotypes 2 & 3 have a 80-90% success rate. The success is determined when a person has an undetectable viral load 6 months after completing treatment; that is called having a sustained response. Stephanie is right; if you have a sustained response then you can be considered cured. The medical profession did not use the "C" word (cured) until recently, but if you stay undetectable for years, then the virus won't come back unless you become re-exposed to the risk factors.
Hepatitis A is an acute infection, (not chronic like Hep C) so when people get it, they get sick then recover from it. Their own immune system overcomes it, but it takes months. Hepatitis B can be either acute or chronic. Most adults who become exposed to Hep B will clear the virus by their own immune system, about 20% go on to have a chronic, life long infection unless they go on treatment. I'm not sure what the response rates are for Hep B, I just know there are a lot fewer people with Hep B in the US than there are with Hep C.
There are vaccines for both Hep A & B, but none for Hep C.
I hope this helps you.




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