Hepatitis C antibodies!? Please help

  Dear Doctor:
  My husband was just told he has antibodies to hepatitis c.  We are both beside ourselves and don't where to turn.  The doctor a general practicioner, was already talking interferon.  I am in a state of acute panic over this.  Can you please offer some encouraging words? He has to go back for another more comprehenisve blood test so I am hoping maybe he was just exposed and does not have this disease.  Please help.  Thank you in advance for your time.  
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Dear Lorraine,
Hepatitis C virus infection of the liver produces a variety of liver damage.  Most patients (approx 80%) have chronic liver inflammation and some of these people will evolve to cirrhosis.  Medical researchers are actively seeking new therapies to eradicate the virus and thereby stop the progression of the liver damage.  Currently, there appears to be much success using the combination of interferon and ribavirin.
The response to therapy is dependent on several factors.  The genotype of the virus and the concentration of the virus in the blood can predictm, in part, how responsive your husband will be to the therapy.  Also, the extent of liver scarring will determine the need for treatment and the outcome of therapy.
I suggest that you discuss with your physician the arrangements for a PCR test to quantify the amount of virus in the blood, a genotype study, and a liver biopsy.  With this information, your physician will be able to provide you with a beter understanding of the disease.
This information is presented for educational purposes only.  Always discuss specific questions with your personal physician.
HFHSM.D.-rf
*keywords: hepatitis C
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