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How Long Should Hepatitis C Medication Be Taken?
So my husband is on Hepatitis C treatment for Genome 2 and had 3 million virus count. He has a shot once and week and 6 pills a day. He has been on for 4 weeks, just had his test results and they said his viral count is undetectable :D
Although that is amazing news, the doctor said he should continue the treatment for another 5 months *horrid side affects btw* to make sure.
What does he mean make sure? His viral load is undetectable. And he said he can call himself Hepatitis C free. So why continue treatment that makes him irritated and ill? Should we seek a second opinion?
Although that is amazing news, the doctor said he should continue the treatment for another 5 months *horrid side affects btw* to make sure.
What does he mean make sure? His viral load is undetectable. And he said he can call himself Hepatitis C free. So why continue treatment that makes him irritated and ill? Should we seek a second opinion?
Mon, 12 Oct 2015
Anonymous's Response
Anonymous's
Response
hi there,
Thank you for choosing healthcare magic,
as regarding your question of viral load which is Undetectable after 4 weeks of treatment, yes I will agree to your physician to continue treatment for whole 6 months this because of a couple of reasons.
1. viral load varies in blood at different times, i.e. sometimes it falls and sometimes it may rise(even though it may not happen everyday) but there is a possibility that at the time when your husband's blood was drawn there may be a drop in viral load at that time. so we may need to recheck it before making any further decision.
2.Also viral load suggests active viral replication in blood only and does not help us with status of virus in the liver, so your doctor might want to make sure to clear it all for giving another 5 months treatment.
also for a patient to be said to be cured from hepatitis C, his viral load should be If you are still not satisfied with this explanation I will advise you to seek another opinion, not needed otherwise.
kind regards
Dr.Fouzia
Thank you for choosing healthcare magic,
as regarding your question of viral load which is Undetectable after 4 weeks of treatment, yes I will agree to your physician to continue treatment for whole 6 months this because of a couple of reasons.
1. viral load varies in blood at different times, i.e. sometimes it falls and sometimes it may rise(even though it may not happen everyday) but there is a possibility that at the time when your husband's blood was drawn there may be a drop in viral load at that time. so we may need to recheck it before making any further decision.
2.Also viral load suggests active viral replication in blood only and does not help us with status of virus in the liver, so your doctor might want to make sure to clear it all for giving another 5 months treatment.
also for a patient to be said to be cured from hepatitis C, his viral load should be If you are still not satisfied with this explanation I will advise you to seek another opinion, not needed otherwise.
kind regards
Dr.Fouzia
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