treatment #4

Hi, male, 52, 77kg, 1a, A2F3, Viral Load 7.7 Log. I've been on three treatments, one year ifn alpha2b 3MUI three times a week, one year ifn alpha2b 3MUI three times a week 1200mg ribavirine. These two treatment did not clear the virus (but the ALAT were
normal). Finished two months ago 48 weeks of PEG IFN alpha 2B 140 micrograms (schering) once a week and 1000mg rebetol. I was PCR negative after six months, negative at end of treatment, PCR positive two months after end of treatement (7.5 Log). Went to the hospital on Thursday, my hepatologist told me that fibrotest/activetest showed a regression in fibrosis to A2F1. He proposed that I took 40 microgram of pegylated interferon alpha 2B once a week to relieve hepatitis side effect
(arthrosis)and be enroled in a large study of an anti-protease by the end of next year. So I went to my shot #145 (sigh) on Friday. With such a low dose, no side effects, except fever and fatigue. Is it usual to propose low dose treatment for people who don't clear the virus ?