If there is any good news -

The good news is that the new generation of drugs designed to treat Hepatitis C is more effective and efficient with fewer nasty side effects.  Across this country there are currently almost 500 clinical trials seeking new volunteers.  Just check out clinicaltrials.gov (or http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=hepatitis+c&recr=Open ) and search for Hepatitis C AND (must be all caps) your state. This is where you'll find treatments that are more successful and more easily tolerated than the current standard of care.

Why bother to treat Hepatitis C, especially if you have no pressing symptoms at the moment?  Well if it was attacking your face, you'd seek treatment, right?

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is increasing worldwide. The World Health Organization estimates that more than 170 million individuals throughout the world are infected with HCV. An estimated 1.8% of the population in the United States is positive for HCV antibodies; this rate corresponds to an estimated 3.9 million persons with HCV infection nationwide. Infection due to HCV accounts for 20% of all cases of acute hepatitis, an estimated 30,000 new acute infections, and 8,000-10,000 deaths each year in the United States.

• In the US: HCV infections account for approximately 30,000 new infections and 8,000-10,000 deaths each year in the United States. Of the new infections, 60% occur in persons who use intravenous drugs; fewer than 20% are acquired through sexual exposure; and 10% are due to other causes, including occupational or perinatal exposure and hemodialysis. The overall prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies in the United States is 1.8% of the population. Approximately 74% of individuals are positive for HCV RNA; this rate indicates that an estimated 3.9 million persons are infected with HCV and 2.7 million persons in the United States have chronic infection. Three fourths of these individuals are infected with HCV genotype 1.

• Internationally: More than 170 million individuals throughout the world are infected with HCV. The prevalence rates in healthy blood donors are 0.01-0.02% in the United Kingdom and northern Europe, 1-1.5% in southern Europe, and 6.5% in parts of equatorial Africa. Prevalence rates as high as 20% are reported in Egypt; these rates are attributed to the use of parenteral antischistosomal therapy.

Hepatitis C is the major cause of chronic hepatitis in the United States. HCV infections account for 20% of all cases of acute hepatitis. It accounts for more than 40% of all referrals to active liver clinics.

• Severe progression of hepatitis C to cirrhosis occurs in approximately 20% of patients who have chronic infection. The rate and chance of progression varies with certain factors, including sex, alcohol use, concomitant hepatitis, age, and several other factors.

• Hepatocellular carcinoma develops in 1-4% of patients with cirrhosis each year. HCV is largely responsible for the recent increase in the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in the United States.

• In the United States, the number of deaths due to HCV-related complications has increased from fewer than 10,000 in 1992 to just fewer than 15,000 in 1999. This number is expected to increase in the future because of the current large pool of patients with chronic infections.

So stop and think about seeking treatment for your Hepatitis C, even if you don't feel sick.  Be well -

All the best,
Always - Hep C Girl