What is PCR and EOT

[Sarah1949]

I keep seeing these acronyms but can't figure them out. :)

[flyinlynn]

Hi
Just to chime in my doctor believes 12 weeks is cured but says what the heck let's check at 12 for SVR and do a 24 week just to be sure. But she does feel 12 weeks is the magic moment

Lynn

[patra_]

Someone in the last couple of weeks got the same info and posted it, BUT my Dr says 24 wks EOT.  I am glad.  It never hurts to have that additional confirmation!  Pat

[nan535]

Wishing you SVR on your S/O with RIBA  treatment.  I know you were starting sometime this month.

My husband received a packet if info from Gilead after starting treatment.
(We had requested in on their website). Anyway, they state in their packet of info that a person is considered "cured" if UND at 12 weeks after EOT. They do not state that a retest be done at 24 weeks.

I just wanted to post what Gilead is saying in writing for those who may now worry that they may still relapse even after 12 weeks UND post treatment.

Best regards,
Nan

[Sarah1949]

Thanks Hector.

[HectorSF]

PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is a biochemical technique performed in laboratories for measuring hepatitis C viral load. Your viral load is the amount of specific viruses that you have, in a given volume of your blood (usually 1 milliliter = 1 cubic centimeter).

EOT (End of Treatment) the last day you take the treatment drugs.
Being cured or achieving SVR (sustained viral response ) is defined as undetectable levels of HCV in the patients' blood 12 to 24 weeks after the end of treatment (EOT).

Current treatments work by interfering with the ability of the virus to replicate. Each virion lives for less than a day so the virus must replicate over a trillion times a day to survive. We see this happening as the viral load drops to the point where the viral level is so low it can't be measured by the PCR test any more. With all new treatments this happens to everyone who treats and the viral load stays undetectable as long as the person continues to take the treatment meds. Up to EOT people are undetectable. Whether the person is cured depends if the virus returns after the EOT. If the viral load stays undetectable they are cured. If a viral load returns than we say the person has relapsed and they are still infected.

Hector