Can hep c be cured

[msgirl]

My boyfriend just informed me that he has hep c.  He has been taking meds for a year now.  His doctor told him that if he goes three years with some kind if count being right he will be free of hep C.  My question is, is this true and will he be free of it?  I also would like to know what is the chances of contracting hep c and are we going to be able to have children?  I have always been under the impression that once you have hep c you will always have it.  I am very confused and I am in desperate need of answers.  Thanks for your time.

[HepC2B]

I was diagnosed with hep c genotype 2b in July. I saw a gastroenterologist yesterday and he told me he can cure me in 6 months of my hep c infection. I will be on the antivirals which have side effects but I am taking the cure. Good luck.

[msgirl]

Thank you so much for your answers, it does relieve some stress.  As soon as we get a chance I want to set up an appointment with his doctor and ask some more questions.  You guys are great!!!!

[whybabe]

Yes, the 6 month check-up post TX is very important.  According to my doc after 6 months cleared there is only a 1-3% chance of the virus returning.  I don't have any idea how long I had the virus before I found out, but my hubsand and daughter both tested negative.  Blood to blood, ONLY is the transmission.  Like posted above birth defects are possible, so wait at least 6 months.  You and your boyfriend can have a happy life together, but be sure and educate yourself.  Knowledge is POWER!  God Bless!
Deb

[terriri]

Hi msgirl, welcome to the board. According to my gastro doc there was a big convention in Miami a few weeks back, the speaker was the very prominent doctor Schick (I think I have the name right) while doing his speech he announced to all that yes the word CURE is now being used. To verify weather or not my explanations to others was correct on hepatitis c being cured I ran my pitch past her. It goes like this----- After a certain amount of time of SVR a person is considered cured, one will always have the antibody of hep c but will no longer have an active virus, will no longer be contagious, and hepc will no longer be damaging to your liver. My doctor told me that my pitch was correct. She also told me that the six-month post TX test is the biggy for determining the future outcome. So, yes hepatitis c can be cured. Yes you can have children but you cannot start trying during TX up until six-month post TX (birth defects from treatment drugs). In the mean time, hep c is blood on blood contagious. Do not use your partners grooming supplies. The chances of getting it sexually are in the 3 to 5 percent range. There are people on the forum that has been with the same mate for thirty years or more & the partner does not have hepatitis. All my very best to you & your mate.

[Tosser]

The medical industry is reluctant to say cured. Their term is "SVR" (sustained virological reponse).
I think you have found the correct forum to find your answers, but I'm going to leave it to the guys and gals here with more experience. They can give you the latest numbers, percentage wise, of successfully treated Hep-C patients at this time. I can tell you the odds are pretty good for the majority of patients, but it isn't a cake walk. You and your boyfriend need to keep a journal of your questions and stay in close communication with either a Gastroenterologist, or a Hepatologist, if there is one available to you. If you will spend some time reading earlier post here, that will be of great help also. You'll find some really good people here in similar situations that will both try to help you with your questions and give you emotional strength and support to get through this. Your confusion will clear up as you take in more and more information, and your feelings of despiration will turn into hope. Everyone here has been where you are, and following their stories will bring you understanding that you aren't alone.
Okay, read the rest of the posts to your questions, I'm going to get out of the way and let the pros work. Good luck and may God bless you and yours.
Tosser