Hepatitis C is a virus. Like the flu it can be spread from person to person, so learning what to do and what not to do can help prevent further infections. But, learning what type of treatments are available is also important. If your hep C treatments are not working you might consider a hepatitis C clinical trial.

You might already know that hep C is not treated unless it becomes chronic. The body can rid the virus after a few months, but most cases will not be cured this way. When that happens, it is considered chronic. In this instance, the virus is most often treated with the drug combination peginterferon and ribavarin, which were developed to attack the hepatitis C virus. Peginterferon is an injection taken weekly, while ribavarin is taken orally on a daily basis. The treatments can last 24-48 weeks. In some cases if the virus causes liver failure, a transplant may be necessary. If this happens, treatments must continue because the virus usually comes back after surgery.

Here are some tips on how to not spread the virus. You can protect others from hepatitis C if you:
* do not share drug needles
* wear gloves if you have to touch another person’s blood
* use a condom during sex
* do not borrow another person’s toothbrush, razor, or anything else that could have blood on it
* make sure any tattoos or body piercings you get are done with sterile tools
* do not donate blood or blood products if you have hepatitis C

Hepatitis C treatments are one of the research studies we’ve been working on here in DeLand, Florida. Some of our investigational treatments have shown promising results, but we need to do additional research studies to test investigational methods that may help us understand your condition. Contact us here if you would like more information.