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Just tested HEp c genotype 3 positive
Dear All,
1. I have just been tested HCV positive - genotype 3. Viral load 4.5 million. Is there anyway to tell if this is a new infection?
2. I had sex with an indian csw 2 months back? I had used double condoms(I now know, double condoms is a bad choice)
Could I have acquired this from her?
3. I had an ultrasound done. Showed it to a hepatologist. He said liver was normal and there was no damage.
4. I had my cd4 count dome one momth and 2 months after the incident with the sex worker. My cd4 count dropped from 850 to 450? can HCV cause this drop?
5. I am a 30 year old indian male. I have read that the treatment for HCV can be very brutal. I live alone in the city where I work. Can I get the treatment done living all alone?
6. I have heard about Sofusbivir. It should be out in the market in the next year or so. Any idea if it would be out in India as well? and about the costs. Unlike in the US there is no substantial health insurance in Idia. If the cost is going to be high. 85000$ is the estimate) then I guess I should go ahead with interferon therapy.
7. Andy advicdes, people?
1. I have just been tested HCV positive - genotype 3. Viral load 4.5 million. Is there anyway to tell if this is a new infection?
2. I had sex with an indian csw 2 months back? I had used double condoms(I now know, double condoms is a bad choice)
Could I have acquired this from her?
3. I had an ultrasound done. Showed it to a hepatologist. He said liver was normal and there was no damage.
4. I had my cd4 count dome one momth and 2 months after the incident with the sex worker. My cd4 count dropped from 850 to 450? can HCV cause this drop?
5. I am a 30 year old indian male. I have read that the treatment for HCV can be very brutal. I live alone in the city where I work. Can I get the treatment done living all alone?
6. I have heard about Sofusbivir. It should be out in the market in the next year or so. Any idea if it would be out in India as well? and about the costs. Unlike in the US there is no substantial health insurance in Idia. If the cost is going to be high. 85000$ is the estimate) then I guess I should go ahead with interferon therapy.
7. Andy advicdes, people?
Hi rpl265,
Would you have an idea about some good hepatologists in Mumbai?
If yes, could you PM the names, please.
Thanks.
Would you have an idea about some good hepatologists in Mumbai?
If yes, could you PM the names, please.
Thanks.
In India, we have the Fibroscan in some hospitals to gaze the extent of liver damage. It is non-invasive. Though it may not be as precise as biopsy, it is supposed to give a fairly good idea about liver condition. However, I think it may not be completely relied upon, as is biopsy which samples just one part of the liver.
Hi there, Asle.
No, I really do not think I am repeating myself.
My questions, on this thread have been about HCV and not HIV. Yes, I have made a couple of passing references about the latter, but there was a context to it.
I asked about biopsy or the stages of liver damage, because i didn't know about them. I do not think these are related to HIV in anyway.
People have been very helpful out here. And I am very thankful for that.
No, I really do not think I am repeating myself.
My questions, on this thread have been about HCV and not HIV. Yes, I have made a couple of passing references about the latter, but there was a context to it.
I asked about biopsy or the stages of liver damage, because i didn't know about them. I do not think these are related to HIV in anyway.
People have been very helpful out here. And I am very thankful for that.
Look, you have posted many, many times on both the HepC site and the HIV site. You are asking all the same questions again and again.
There is nothing more any of us can tell you until you are either conclusively diagnosed with HIV, then the HIV site is where you go.
And, you have been told everything you need to know up to this stage with your HCV diagnosis.
And good luck with your treatment for HCV, by the way.
If you want to chat with someone, send it as a message to them, or post as a note on their page.
There is nothing more any of us can tell you until you are either conclusively diagnosed with HIV, then the HIV site is where you go.
And, you have been told everything you need to know up to this stage with your HCV diagnosis.
And good luck with your treatment for HCV, by the way.
If you want to chat with someone, send it as a message to them, or post as a note on their page.
I have been tested at the 8 week mark. Have to wait till 12 weeks.
Yes, sure I will go through that.
How are you doing post treatment? I saw, you have a SVR. Congratulations on that! I am sure your life must be so much without the virus to think about.
But what about the side effects? Are they still there? Were they tolerable during the treatment?
Yes, sure I will go through that.
How are you doing post treatment? I saw, you have a SVR. Congratulations on that! I am sure your life must be so much without the virus to think about.
But what about the side effects? Are they still there? Were they tolerable during the treatment?
You are correct about the stages, 0 is no damage and 4 is cirrhosis, the others are stages of fibrosis between the two extremes. The biopsy hurts just a little but is nowhere near what it sounds like. I may not be the best person to describe it because my only needle biopsy was done in 1989 and procedures have probably changed since then. Mine was done with a needle that plunges in and takes a core sample and is out again all within about a second. Mine was done with no anesthesia, not even a local, but a little Valium or something to calm me down. Others have had their doctors give a local anesthetic first. It's just so fast that the pain hardly has time to register. They will make you lie down for some time afterward to make sure there isn't any serious internal bleeding afterwards. That's one of those uncommon but pretty dangerous risks.
I am not very up to date on HIV diagnosis, and don't know what the numbers are for how many acquire it from standard sex with a condom, but it can't be too many. Have you been tested yet or is it still too soon? There is a another forum here specifically for HIV and there is a lot of info available regarding co-infection, so read up and I hope it helps allay your fears.
I am not very up to date on HIV diagnosis, and don't know what the numbers are for how many acquire it from standard sex with a condom, but it can't be too many. Have you been tested yet or is it still too soon? There is a another forum here specifically for HIV and there is a lot of info available regarding co-infection, so read up and I hope it helps allay your fears.
What do these different stages mean?
1 .Stage 0 from what I gather is one wherein there is no damage to the liver. and stage 4 would be cirrhosis? Am I correct in my understanding?
2. Also does biopsy hurt? Is one put under anaesthesia?
3. I get the point about not worrying too much about when one was infected. I am not worried about that. Its the possible co-infection with HIV that is eating me up.
1 .Stage 0 from what I gather is one wherein there is no damage to the liver. and stage 4 would be cirrhosis? Am I correct in my understanding?
2. Also does biopsy hurt? Is one put under anaesthesia?
3. I get the point about not worrying too much about when one was infected. I am not worried about that. Its the possible co-infection with HIV that is eating me up.
I hit the post button before I was finished (too easy to do on an iphone)! Now, where was I? ...barbers, manicurists, childhood rituals of "blood brothers" or even of just plain physical fights if both get bloody, surgical procedures, accidentally using someone else's toothbrush, scissors or manicure tools (if the are infected and they recently got blood on it). The list could go on, but basically it means its a pretty hopeless goal to try to be certain of how it was acquired. I've always assumed I got mine from a 1984 transfusion, but there are literally hundreds of other less likely occasions, and it could have been any of those. Sex is by far the least likely way - this has been shown by many studies, and I can also add the personal evidence that my husband has never acquired it from me in spite of many years of very frequent sexual relations, with at least 10 years before we even knew I had the virus. In those days we weren't cautious about anything! Many other forum members have had this same experience, and many of the women have also given birth to children without infecting them (though this does carry some small risk). So I recommend just letting go of guessing how you acquired it and focusing on how much it has damaged your liver so far. If it is stage 0-1 fibrosis I think you can easily afford to wait for easier treatment drugs, if it is stage 3-4 I think it is urgent to treat ASAP, and if you are stage 2 you are in a gray zone where I can't even say which way to go - but your hepatologist would probably have an opinion. Keep on practicing safe sex because of all the other std's out there. Good luck!
I'm glad to hear you aren't as scared as your moniker implies. My personal suggestions for you would be to get yourself a good hepatologist to work with and ask for a biopsy. Ultrasounds and blood tests are helpful indicators, but to know your liver condition with certainty requires a biopsy. If your HCV is recent, your liver will probably be a stage 0 fibrosis. If you were infected in your infancy it might be any number but would most likely be between 2 and. 4. Chances are also quite good that your infection was neither of these but some time in between, as there have probably been MANY other occasions when a little human carelessness could have resulted in exposure. There are many cases of HCV that simply defy our desire to know the exposure route. It can be transmitted by any blood to blood incident, so with some carelessness it can easily be transmitted via dental work, immunizations, tattoos, barbers
Hi ceanothus,
My moniker spells it out my fear, doesn't it.
No, I am not too scared about HCV. I just want to get rid of it ASAP.
I just think that its a new infection and that I might have contracted it sexually.
And I am wondering if I might have contracted HIV from the same partner.
It is this possibility that has me afraid. Not Hepatitis C, per se.
My liver enzymes went north (roughly, twice the normal values) 50 days after having sex with a random female I met. They were perfectly normal 25 days after the encounter. And cd4 counts also went down by 50% in the same span.
My ultrasoud shows 'Normal liver'. Then again, I didn't have a biopsy done.
This makes me think my HCV is recent.
Then again, I had a blood transfusion when I was 6 months old. That might have given me the virus. Is it probable that I have the virus for 30 years and have minimal liver damage?
Anyway,I am not too old. Based on all the inputs I have got here, I guess I will go for treatment.
My moniker spells it out my fear, doesn't it.
No, I am not too scared about HCV. I just want to get rid of it ASAP.
I just think that its a new infection and that I might have contracted it sexually.
And I am wondering if I might have contracted HIV from the same partner.
It is this possibility that has me afraid. Not Hepatitis C, per se.
My liver enzymes went north (roughly, twice the normal values) 50 days after having sex with a random female I met. They were perfectly normal 25 days after the encounter. And cd4 counts also went down by 50% in the same span.
My ultrasoud shows 'Normal liver'. Then again, I didn't have a biopsy done.
This makes me think my HCV is recent.
Then again, I had a blood transfusion when I was 6 months old. That might have given me the virus. Is it probable that I have the virus for 30 years and have minimal liver damage?
Anyway,I am not too old. Based on all the inputs I have got here, I guess I will go for treatment.
Not saying your experiencing what I was but I had the same "persistent dull pain".. "on the left side, just below my ribs" as you describe. I had this for over a year accompanied with nauseousness. I had a every diagnostic test in the book to try and determine its source to no avail. Finally, my gastro said, "Hep C can cause non-specific abdominal pain" and I should consider treating it.
Well, I did and my pain is now gone.
Well, I did and my pain is now gone.
The stomach is slightly left of center, and you may be stressing yourself into some acid reflux or related issue – its pretty common when people stay "reallyscared" for days or weeks on end. Try some relaxation techniques and maybe some meds for stomach acid if the relaxation doesn't work for you. You are going to be okay!
Dear all,
on the left side, just below my ribs, I have been experiencing persistent dull pain over the last few days?
Does this have anything to do with my liver?
on the left side, just below my ribs, I have been experiencing persistent dull pain over the last few days?
Does this have anything to do with my liver?
Thank you all, for such wonderful and detailed replies.
So treatment affects different people differently.
My parents are aware of my disease and have been immensely supportive. They are pro-treatment.
I will be seeing the doc in 2 weeks time. And I will keep you posted about my decision.
So treatment affects different people differently.
My parents are aware of my disease and have been immensely supportive. They are pro-treatment.
I will be seeing the doc in 2 weeks time. And I will keep you posted about my decision.
I agree with what desrt said
"Many people who are CT and even TT go on to SVR. The test that trumps everything is being undetectable 4 weeks into treatment. My opinion for g3 at this point, is that it's worth going for it with Peg/riba regardless of your IL28B type. The test is just one more tool to help you make decisions during treatment."
I was also a genotype 3a who treated. I had the IL28B test which showed I was a CT. Based on that and the fact that I did not go UND until week 5, I opted to treat longer than the 24 weeks. The IL28B is a useful tool in guiding treatment duration if one doesn't have an RVR (undetectable at week 4)
"Many people who are CT and even TT go on to SVR. The test that trumps everything is being undetectable 4 weeks into treatment. My opinion for g3 at this point, is that it's worth going for it with Peg/riba regardless of your IL28B type. The test is just one more tool to help you make decisions during treatment."
I was also a genotype 3a who treated. I had the IL28B test which showed I was a CT. Based on that and the fact that I did not go UND until week 5, I opted to treat longer than the 24 weeks. The IL28B is a useful tool in guiding treatment duration if one doesn't have an RVR (undetectable at week 4)
I just want to re-emphasize that your age is a huge plus. I am 59 and was infected with genotype 1a in 1984 at age 31. I treated three times: at age 41, again at age 51-52 and finally at age 57-58. I cured it with the final treatment. Treatment was very much harder on me with my age progressing. I'm sure it won't be really easy for you, but it is very likely to be something you can manage while working and living alone. When you read all the reports of hardship on this forum you have to remember two things: the vast majority of people treating are at least 50 years old, and the people who are managing well tend not to hang around on the forums to tell us all is well - they are out there living their lives. Best wishes for you!
Many people who are CT and even TT go on to SVR. The test that trumps everything is being undetectable 4 weeks into treatment. My opinion for g3 at this point, is that it's worth going for it with Peg/riba regardless of your IL28B type. The test is just one more tool to help you make decisions during treatment. My virus was 3e, if that's what you mean by subtype. The Il28B test that determines the patient's genetic makeup was not available when I was treating.
"1. Is there anyone who was able to manage work while undergoing treatment. I work in an office from 9 AM to 6 PM."
I am from India, genotype 1, and finished SOC Tx with Peg Interferon 5 months ago. I was able to work full time all through my treatment duration of 72 weeks. Thought it was somewhat difficult to drive a car to work, and to focus on the job with good concentration and energy, it was doable, and I was able to manage without my coworkers getting an idea about the state of my health. Like others said, it varies from person to person, and better to have a support system at home during the course of treatment.
I am from India, genotype 1, and finished SOC Tx with Peg Interferon 5 months ago. I was able to work full time all through my treatment duration of 72 weeks. Thought it was somewhat difficult to drive a car to work, and to focus on the job with good concentration and energy, it was doable, and I was able to manage without my coworkers getting an idea about the state of my health. Like others said, it varies from person to person, and better to have a support system at home during the course of treatment.
Thanks desrt.
I did a bit of search on Google. And it threw up the following result:
IL28B subtypes: CC, CT, and TT with CC being the one that is most responsive to HCV treatment.
So, in case one happens to have a non-CC sub-type, is the conventional treatment worth going for?
Did you also get your subtype test done ?
And what is the rate of success of current treatment for genotype 3?
I did a bit of search on Google. And it threw up the following result:
IL28B subtypes: CC, CT, and TT with CC being the one that is most responsive to HCV treatment.
So, in case one happens to have a non-CC sub-type, is the conventional treatment worth going for?
Did you also get your subtype test done ?
And what is the rate of success of current treatment for genotype 3?
SVR has less to do with race than with the distribution of certain genes detectable by a test referred to as 'IL28B'. A large portion of the different 'racial' response rates has to do with the distribution of this gene sequence among the population. If you can get this test, it is a valuable tool for genotype3s, especially if you are not undetectable at week 4 of treatment.
I am 57 years old, male, was 46-47 when I treated, and probably had the virus for almost 30 years when I decided to treat. Hope that helps.
I am 57 years old, male, was 46-47 when I treated, and probably had the virus for almost 30 years when I decided to treat. Hope that helps.
Thank you Willy, desrt, can-do-man and mkh9 for your inputs.
desrt, if you do not mind, may I ask you about your age, sex and the duration of time you had the disease. Also, is this true that the treatment works better for people of certain races and not as well for certain others
I am asking this because certain posters here and also my hepatologist suggested that treatment is easier for young people and people who have been infected for a shorter period.
Its really good news for people in the USA that newer better drugs would be out soon. I wish all the people a very good luck.
I had a talk with my hepatologist and I enquired about the side effects of p-interferon and ribavarin treatment.
He was pretty dismissive, he was certainly answering questions but he made it sound that treatment wasn't that big a deal - that the side effects were very tolerable for 95% of people.But what I read here is completely different.
Reading about the far lesser side effects of sofusbuvir - I would have preferred to wait. But, I do not know how long will it be before the drug is launched in my part of the world.
Also unlike Canada where health care is public or the US where insurance takes a care of a major chunk of cost of medicines, healthcare in India is largely private - insurance companies do not cover the cost of medicines.
and 85k $ (from what I read somewhere) is way too steep for me.
Plus, I am 30 and would probably be married in a year or so. And I would like to be disease free by then.
What are the cure rates for genotype 3 on the p-interferon, ribavarin treatment.
desrt, if you do not mind, may I ask you about your age, sex and the duration of time you had the disease. Also, is this true that the treatment works better for people of certain races and not as well for certain others
I am asking this because certain posters here and also my hepatologist suggested that treatment is easier for young people and people who have been infected for a shorter period.
Its really good news for people in the USA that newer better drugs would be out soon. I wish all the people a very good luck.
I had a talk with my hepatologist and I enquired about the side effects of p-interferon and ribavarin treatment.
He was pretty dismissive, he was certainly answering questions but he made it sound that treatment wasn't that big a deal - that the side effects were very tolerable for 95% of people.But what I read here is completely different.
Reading about the far lesser side effects of sofusbuvir - I would have preferred to wait. But, I do not know how long will it be before the drug is launched in my part of the world.
Also unlike Canada where health care is public or the US where insurance takes a care of a major chunk of cost of medicines, healthcare in India is largely private - insurance companies do not cover the cost of medicines.
and 85k $ (from what I read somewhere) is way too steep for me.
Plus, I am 30 and would probably be married in a year or so. And I would like to be disease free by then.
What are the cure rates for genotype 3 on the p-interferon, ribavarin treatment.
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