Is triple therapy only used on Genome 1?

[lookingtothefuture]

Hi all. I have been diagnosed with Hep C on 19th December, lovely Xmas present! I am waiting to see the specialist at the end of this month and I am trying to learn as much as I can about the condition. Am I right in thinking triple therapy is only needed if you have Genome type 1a / 1b Hep C?
Thanks
John

[lookingtothefuture]

Thank you all  your replies it is much appreciated. It turns out I have had Hep C for over 30 years without me knowing it. I am 52 now so I have had it longer than I have not had it if you know what I mean.
My Doc has diagnosed it from a blood test and he has now referred me to a specialist, I have my appointment with him in 2 weeks time. I don’t know the Genome type yet but my virul load on the blood test that diagnosed it was 1274705 iu/ml (log=6.11). Am I right in thinking that is a low to medium virul load?
By the way, I am in the UK not in the US and so I am wondering if we use the triple therapy over here, something I will need to find out because knowing my luck I will have the 1a/b type.
Anyhow, thanks again for your replies.
John

[bamabred]

John hey buddy,sorry to hear about the diag.,treatment really depends on what geno type you have,i myself have been thru treatment twice once in 1993 (interferon) and in 2010 (pegasys).Do your self a favor and read some of these sites.you are right to educate your self for the dr.will not,i dont if they dont know or just dont give a **** about us.Get all the info you can BEFORE treatment it will help you more then you know.I will im you some sites to read,wish you the best of luck.  Dan

[willbb]

There are many sites for the newly diagnosed to help gain info. . Here is one you may be interested and feel free to ask any questions of the group you may have..
Best ...
Will

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/Newly%20Diagnosed.pdf

[willbb]

Hi John
Sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis . You don"t mention what test you had t,however if it was the HCV antibodies test ,then the specialist  would do the HCV/RNA by PCR  blood test to ascertain whether or not you have active HCV.
Approx 25% of people who are exposed to the virus ,clear the infection by their own immune system and will still test positive for the antibodies.
If you do have active infection the PCR test  will show a viral load and a geno typing would be done.

Yes you are correct ...the triple therapy is only approved for Geno 1 with an approx.70 -80 % success rate (depending on many factors) and if you happen to have either Geno  2 or 3 the success rate of treatment is approx. the same ,however it is with doing  only the combo treatment of INF/RIBA and usually for 24 weeks.

Welcome to the group and good luck with the specialist..

Will