Peer Reviewed
Feature Article Hepatology

Hepatitis C: debunking the seven major myths

Katrina Watson
Abstract
Providing accurate information greatly helps patients come to terms with a diagnosis of hepatitis C. Current treatment produces a cure in about half of those infected with the hepatitis C virus.
Key Points
  • Hepatitis C is common, but most affected people are not diagnosed.
  • Patients are often given misinformation on transmission and prognosis.
  • Diagnosis, after appropriate counselling, provides the patient with a chance of cure.
  • The treatment of hepatitis C is a six- or 12-month course of weekly pegylated interferon injections and daily ribavirin tablets.
  • The cure rate with treatment is 50% across the board (range 30 to 80%), and while side effects are common, they can usually be managed. Early treatment gives better cure rates.
  • Successful treatment should prevent serious long term morbidity and mortality due to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Get full access
Subscribe for full access to all articles
Buy this article

Single article purchases are temporarily unavailable due to site maintenance.

If you would like to purchase an article during this time, please email us at [email protected] with the article details and we'll assist you directly. We'll also let you know when online purchasing is available again.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Already a subscriber?