The date of the official birth of the hepatitis C virus can be considered 1989. Until that time, no specific diagnostic systems had been developed to identify it. Once in the human body, the hepatitis C virus, in simple words, provokes an inflammatory process in the liver. Worldwide, infection with them is now an extremely serious problem. To understand what methods and drugs are used to treat hepatitis C, you need to familiarize yourself with the problem in more detail.
Who is who
The causative agents of hepatitis types A and B were identified as early as the 70s of the 20th century. However, after this, scientists came up with the assumption that there are other types of this disease ("neither A nor B"). The point of all doubts was set in 1989, when in the process of conducting numerous human blood tests, another specific viral agent was identified, which was given the name “hepatitis C virus”. Immediately there were a lot of different questions about what is dangerous hepatitis C, how to treat it, what medications to use.
The bulk of scientists and medical specialists agree with each other in the opinion that this form of the disease is the most dangerous of all known. This form is colloquially called a “gentle killer,” since an infection may not manifest itself for years, so to speak, behave “quieter than water, lower than grass,” and meanwhile, intensively infect liver cells and provoke serious complications. A person at this time is not so much interested in how hepatitis C is treated, but does not suspect that he has such a dangerous disease.
Possible ways of infection
The mechanism of hepatitis C virus infection is parenteral, hematogenous (i.e., infection occurs through the blood). This is possible in several situations. Firstly, transfusion to the recipient of donated blood. According to statistics, up to 2% of donors worldwide are carriers of the virus. For this reason, before transfusion of blood, it is examined for the presence of a pathogen in it (this is cheaper than then treating a person). And yet, about 4% of all infections occur during blood transfusion.
Secondly, the use for medical procedures and injection of the same needle by different people. Most of these infections are among drug addicts and people receiving intravenous medication. What medicines treat hepatitis C will be described below.
Thirdly, the likelihood of infection increases in those people who, on duty, have to come into contact with blood products (we are talking about medical staff).
Further, you can "get" the infection through sexual intercourse. The likelihood of contracting infection within the family when dealing with a regular partner is negligible. However, with erratic contacts, the risk of hepatitis C virus infection increases many times, since about 3% of homosexuals, about 6% of women of easy virtue and 4% of regular “clients” of a venereologist are carriers of it.
From mother to child, the virus is extremely rare. Infection with breast milk during lactation does not occur at all, therefore, lactating women are interested in the question of how hepatitis C is treated and whether it is dangerous for the baby, there is no need at all.
Further, there is a high probability of getting infected while applying a tattoo to the body or performing piercing, acupuncture, piercing the ears with unstable needles. And about 40% of patients do not know or do not remember what or who could become the source.
Symptomatology
Before considering the question of how hepatitis C is treated, you need to understand when a person should start to worry, listen to his condition and consult a doctor as soon as possible.
The main feature of hepatitis C virus is its variability, ability and susceptibility to mutations. The disease can occur in two forms. If the virus is intensively replicated, it imperceptibly damages liver cells, and the speed of this destructive process exceeds the liver's own ability to regenerate. In this case, there is a process of replacement of hepatocytes (liver cells) with scar (connective) tissue. In such a situation, the functions of the organ suffer. If the replication process is slow, the regenerative capabilities of the liver repair the damage.
Alarming symptoms are not always present. During the incubation period (approximately 50 days), a person can feel normal and learn about infection quite by accident. However, there are nonspecific symptoms of hepatitis, in the presence of which it is worth seeking medical advice. These include weakness, fatigue, asthenia (chronic fatigue syndrome).
Survey stages
As a rule, for the vast majority of patients, a positive reaction to the hepatitis C virus becomes a complete surprise. However, it is not worth falling into despair and asking a sacramental question whether hepatitis C is treated at all. The next step should be a further examination. Firstly, a blood test needs to be done again to make sure that there is a causative virus. If the reaction is still positive, the doctor will prescribe a number of additional procedures.
Ultrasound of the liver (ultrasound) will enable the doctor to thoroughly study the structure of the liver tissue and the state of organs adjacent to it. This procedure can be done repeatedly without any harm to health.
Fibroscanning of the liver or elastometry will allow to evaluate the course of chronic processes in the liver and the effectiveness of the therapy (if it is already underway).
The most important examination, which will give the doctor maximum information about the state of the liver, is a biopsy. Taken for analysis and evaluated under a microscope, liver cells will allow the doctor to draw conclusions about whether the process is already chronic, whether a complication in the form of cirrhosis developed at the time of the study. It is after this analysis that the doctor will decide on what method to treat specifically for this patient, what drugs (hepatitis C is treated with the use of certain complexes of special medicines).
The procedure for taking a biopsy is generally quite simple and does not pose any danger. A patient lying on his back is given local anesthesia in the upper right abdominal segment, a skin is pierced with a special needle and a small piece of liver tissue is taken for research.
Standard regimens
In order to determine the treatment regimen and the set of medications, their doses and the frequency of their administration, information about the genotype of the hepatitis C virus will be important for the doctor. Currently, there are 6 of them, and it is customary to designate them with numbers from 1 to 6. B in turn, each genotype has subtypes / subtypes, which are indicated by Latin letters and are attached to the digit of the genotype (1a, 3b, etc.).
The first and fourth genotypes are extremely rare in patients, but at the same time they are the most resistant (approximately twice as compared to others) to antiviral therapy, regardless of what hepatitis C is treated with. The 3 genotype, as well as all the others, amenable to therapy by several methods approved by the entire international community.
The most economical scheme is to take any injectable interferon (no candles, capsules, drops, etc.) in a volume of 3 IU (million units). Frequency - at least every other day. Additionally, any ribavirin is prescribed for daily use. The dose depends on the weight of the patient. With a body weight of up to 65 kg, at least 800 mg per day must be taken, with a larger weight - 1200 mg.
The most optimal scheme involves the introduction of interferon at a dose of 6 IU daily until ALT is normalized. Over the next 12 weeks, 6 IU, but every other day. Then 3 IU until the end of the course of therapy. Ribavirin - throughout the treatment in a dose, as described above.
For those who are not shy in financial means, there is no question what is the most effective way to treat hepatitis C. In this case, antiviral drugs are ribavirin and Peginterferon once a week.
As for the duration of therapy, the standard period is 24 weeks at a dose of 800 mg ribavirin, regardless of weight. If during genotyping it turned out that the patient has genotype 1, the treatment period doubles to 48 weeks, and ribavirin is prescribed (and taken) in full.
Foreign news
How is hepatitis C treated in Europe? In principle, interferon therapy is relevant worldwide. However, the EU has approved a new combination of drugs for the treatment of type C. These drugs are called Viekiraks and Exviera. The form of release of both medicines is tablets (i.e., there is no need for multiple injections of interferon). Viecarax includes ombitasvir, paritaprevir and ritonavir. The main active component of Exveira is dasabuvir.
Treatment of chronic viral hepatitis C genotype 1 is approved with the use of a new combination of drugs in combination with or without ribavirin. These drugs will also be effective for patients with compensated liver cirrhosis, patients undergoing replacement therapy, and those who underwent liver transplantation. Clinical studies in which more than 2,300 people took part showed that 95% of patients with hepatitis C genotype 1 were completely cured. In addition, the new regimen is well tolerated (98% of patients underwent a full course of treatment).
Alternative hepatitis C treatments: herbal medicine
By alternative methods of treatment of hepatitis C are meant various options for self-treatment using a variety of roots, fruits and herbs, of which there are a great many. However, before asking about how to treat hepatitis C with folk recipes, you still need to consult a phytotherapist, since many plants, their fruits, leaves and roots are toxic.
Patients consider rhizomes of bog calamus an effective remedy , from which the infusion is prepared. 1 teaspoon of crushed root is poured with 1 cup of boiling water and allowed to infuse for 20 minutes. Take this infusion four times a day for half an hour before eating half a cup.
The answer to the question of how to treat hepatitis C at home, many patients consider such a tool as a mummy. 4 grams of the substance are diluted in warm milk, grape juice and honey are added to it. This composition is taken twice daily before meals. After that, it is recommended to eat a raw homemade egg.
There are also a lot of different recipes and recommendations that will help if you do not cope with hepatitis C, then at least improve your health.
Juices and hepatitis C
Another alternative answer to the question of how to treat hepatitis C at home is to consume juices.
Cabbage juice (in a glass 2-3 times a day) or a mixture of cabbage and beetroot juices (the last - not more than a quarter of a glass) will give a good effect. Important: after squeezing the juice, let it stand for at least 4-5 hours.
Further, they say that positive results can be achieved by taking half a glass of freshly squeezed pumpkin juice daily. The condition of a person will improve when taking tinctures from peanuts, jujube berries and sugar. 50 g of each ingredient is poured into boiling water (250 ml) and boiled for 30 minutes, then cooled. It is recommended to take before bedtime for 30 days.
What is hepatitis C treated with? Yes, a simple dandelion. Someone cooks jam from this flower, and someone is sure that an infusion of roots will help him (crushed raw materials are poured with boiling water and insisted for 40 minutes). Take this medicine before meals, 1 tablespoon.
Diet and lifestyle of a patient with hepatitis C
Herbal medicine, fruits, juices and infusion from plants - this is all that exhausts the answer to the question of how to treat hepatitis C at home? It turns out that it is fundamentally important to follow a certain diet. It is necessary to increase the share of dairy products, cereals and cereals in the total diet. It will be necessary to minimize the consumption of various types of smoked meats, chocolate, canned food and marinades, alcohol and fried foods. In addition, it is important not to overeat before bedtime and drink at least three liters of fluid during the day.
Medical experts agree with all these recommendations. Doctors give alcohol a special role in worsening health conditions. It is among alcoholic drink lovers that a complication in the form of cirrhosis of the liver most often develops. All that occasionally a patient can afford is a glass of wine or beer.
If liver cirrhosis has already been confirmed, the doctor will likely recommend a low-salt diet to minimize fluid retention.
As for the lifestyle, with normal household contacts, the probability of transmission of the hepatitis C virus is practically zero. The main thing is to pay attention to cuts, burns and other damage to the skin, since infection occurs only through the blood. Very little risk exists during sexual intercourse. To avoid stressful conditions and unnecessary worries in such cases, doctors recommend using condoms.
Summarizing
No one is safe from the “gentle killer”. We are all sick, treating teeth, doing manicures and pedicures, visiting public places with abrasions and cuts. In all these situations, it is potentially possible to contract hepatitis C and not notice it (and not notice for long enough). If the disease is already a fait accompli, you do not need to independently seek out information on how and how hepatitis C is treated. The doctor selects the drugs and treatment regimen individually for each particular patient based on the results of a clinical examination. What is really important is to seek qualified help as soon as possible. After all, you can not let the acute inflammatory process transform into a chronic one.
As for the treatment of hepatitis C at home, you can, of course, significantly improve your health with herbs, tinctures from leaves and roots of plants, fruit and fruit juices. However, not a single case of complete recovery with such treatment is known. And indeed, would scientists of the whole world spend years of their lives, and corporations - billions of dollars to research and develop new drugs, if everything was so simple - drink a tincture for a month (or a year - the term is not important) - and get rid of the hepatitis C virus ?