How does Viral load go up, and go down

Please, could someone explain, whether the human body is able to lower the viral load, by itself, and when it goes up, at what rate, and why.  What would the "curve" or graph look like over weeks, months and years of being infected.  Does it double every 4 years.  Do the viruses change, or mutate.  I suppose I had better study this.  What is the immune system, and what do people mean when they say, you have got a good immune system?  The illness of say, a cold or flu, or german measles, how much of the symptoms are related to the immune system, or the actual illness.  I have Hepatitis C, and I havent had a cold in about 3 years, or flu in 8 years.  They start and then a half an hour later, the symptoms vanish.  My kids have colds, my husband, and other mothers from school have colds, but not me, and it almost worries me.  This is very strange.  I'm sorry, for asking so many questions in one night.  I guess, I just got my result of viral load, and wonder, how far down the road must I be.  Would I know, from the viral load, when I got the infection? (My viral load is 687,000 IUB and why geno type 1.  Why not 2 or 3 or 4.
- Elaine

[sanpena710]

I have the same questions .. my vl was 789000 and went down to 487000, ? doesn't appear to be any comments on this topic... wonder why?

[kickboxingmom]

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Written by Linda    
Sunday, 08 July 2007 02:58  
If you would like to view a video which explains all you need to know about the hepatitis C virus please copy and paste the link below into your browser.

The video shows the virus, and explains how it infects the liver, then there is a talk from Dr Douglas T Dieterich MD on the subject: "Why Should I Get My Hepatitis C Treated now".

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO

If you are having problems RIGHT CLICK your mouse and select PLAY to watch the video.


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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 09 April 2008 20:33 )  
  Site, Article & Information DisclaimerAll information and articles provided on our website and forums are to be used as a guideline only. For your own safety, please always consult with a doctor or specialist before making any decisions regarding your health care. By visiting this website you instantly adhere to this policy.Copyright © 2008 AHCS - Australian Hepatitis C Support
  

[kickboxingmom]

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/83212http://www.mssmtv.org/player_alf/player.php?id=alf_2007_01             I tried to send you a link.
Tammy

[kickboxingmom]

Feb.22, 2002-I'm done.Been up to long.I posted wo looking at date.Duh !

[portann]

Hi Elaine,

Genotype 1 is the most common one in North (and, I believe, South) America. So it's no surprise you have '1'.

I'm just learning myself but your viral load below one million seems on the low side compared to others. I think you'll want a biopsy, which is the way you can determine the actual health of your liver, which is the most important thing to know. The many sometimes confusing numbers are simply an indirect means to assess the bottom line, that is, is your liver okay.  I was terrified of having my biopsy seven years ago when I was diagnosed and felt foolish afterwards because it was SO easy.

And I have read that the virus is a persistent bugger, which makes it more challenging to treat.

I didn't quite understand the connection you made to your immune system. Were you wondering if your immune system may be able to fight this off on its own, being so strong? I think 15% of people who contract it in the active stage do clear it permanently but for the rest, it becomes chronic and I've never heard that you can self-clear in the chronic stage.

Since I'm a bit of a science fiction fan, it passed my mind - as a wild card -that hep c somehow has some protective function from other things. On the ground, though, I don't believe that. I've had hep c for a long time and like you, never got sick with colds or flus, even though my family (non-heppers) did. It's just that for some people at some stages, life is pretty normal and for me, being normal meant not getting sick. It's a different story when the stages change and that can come at you like a bat out of h*ll.  

As for the curves of progression, I am no help to you at all. I know many, if not most, people with hep c don't die of it but it's a **** shoot. And, currently, so is treatment. I am in my 14th week and now I finally know what it's like to have the flu. I would have mollycoddled the kids a bit more when they were home sick, had I known.

[portann]

and i wrote  'C... R.... A.... P shoot', which the forum's computer program converted to '**** shoot' , all on its own. How sophisticated but hey, it's not a swear word.

Now I know the real reason there are no swear words on this site. Thanks, computer.

[copyman]

The best way I can explain why the VL fluctuates is some days your immune system wins the battle and some days the virus wins. Depending on who is winning the day blood is drawn is what the vl will show on test results.

This constant battle that is going on is why people feel tired , joint pain, etc.

[tashka]

My husband's viral load suddenly went down from 23 mln to 1,7 mln. about a year ago. We were doing absolutely nothing at the time about hepatitis C. I guess, his immune system really tries to fight the virus.