Hep C Treatment

[Sue21165]

My husband and I both have Hep C.  I am Genotype 1, no sub, and he is Genotype 1a.  My viral load count is 3.2 million and his is 2.8 million.  I have developed Cirrhosis of the Liver, although after an ultrasound, my GI says that although my liver is horribly scarred, it is functioning well.  My husband does not have Cirrhosis.  My husband is a recovering alcoholic and his Hep C is believed to be caused by that.  Mine however is officially of unknown origin, but believed to be contracted sexually from my husband.

My question is since my husband and I are both infected with Hep C, should we begin treatment together?

Susan T.

[lporterrn]

Hi,
Thanks for posting on the forum. I'd be interested in knowing your subtype since if it isn't 1a, it suggests you got it from somewhere else. Also, hep C isn't caused by alcohol use. Be that as it may, how you got it isn't important, especially since you are looking at the solution.

With the new treatment expected to come out in October (Sovaldi/ledipasvir) you both could do it. There are hardly any side effects, and they are mild. There is a high cure rate. It is very important that you get treated ASAP because you have cirrhosis.

If you treat together, you can celebrate together, assuming you are cured. But don't drink to celebrate.

[Mike]

Hi Susan,

 Cirrhosis is a pretty serious disease and you don't want to take any chances with it. Even though your liver is functioning well now; that can change very quickly. And, once it does, there is no going back (outside of a liver transplant).

I like, Lucinda, suggest that you get treatment now, as the only way to stop the progression of Hep-C liver damage, is to eradicate the virus.

The treatments today are very tolerable and have a high cure rate!

Please talk to your doctor about treatment.

If you have any questions, this is a great place to ask.

Best wishes for you and your husband, Mike