There is no cure for hepatitis C, but medications in some cases can suppress the virus for a long period of time.

Some patients with hepatitis C benefit from treatment with medications. The most common medications are a combination of interferon alpha and ribavirin, an antiviral medication.

• Most patients receive weekly injections just under the skin with a form called pegylated interferon alpha.
• Ribavirin is a capsule taken twice daily. The major side effect is low red blood cells (anemia). Ribavirin also causes birth defects. Women should avoid getting pregnant during, and for 6 months after, treatment.
• Treatment is given for 24 - 48 weeks.

These medications have a number of side effects, including:

• Depression
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Flu-like symptoms
• Headache
• Irritability
• Loss of appetite
• Low white blood cell counts and platelets
• Nausea
• Thinning of hair
• Vomiting

See: Cirrhosis for information about treating more severe liver damage caused by hepatitis C.

Patients who develop cirrhosis or liver cancer may be candidates for a liver transplant.

People with hepatitis C should also:

• Be careful not to take vitamins, nutritional supplements, or new over-the-counter medications without first discussing it with their health care provider.
• Avoid any substances that are toxic to the liver (hepatotoxic), including alcohol. Even moderate amounts of alcohol speed up the progression of hepatitis C, and alcohol reduces the effectiveness of treatment.
• Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B.

You can often ease the stress of illness by joining a support group of people who share common experiences and problems. See liver disease - resources.

Most people with hepatitis C infection have the chronic form.

In people who are treated with medications, a "sustained response" means that the patient is free from the hepatitis C virus 6 months after stopping treatment. This does not mean that the patient is cured, but that the levels of active hepatitis C virus in the body are very low and are probably not causing more, or as much damage.

Patients with genotypes 2 or 3 are three times more likely to respond to treatment than patients with genotype 1.

Hepatitis C is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease in the United States today. People with this condition may have:

• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Liver cancer (may develop in a small number of people with liver cirrhosis)

Hepatitis C usually comes back after a liver transplant, which can lead to cirrhosis of the new liver.

Call your provider if:

• You develop symptoms of hepatitis
• You believe you have been exposed to the hepatitis C virus