treatment or not

[Jim]

I was diagnosed in feb 2000 with hep C. My viral load is 105460 copies/ml <200. ast 67 and alt 118. Geno type is 2B

Liver biopsy showes a moderate chronic hep c with evidence of interface hepatitis.There are ocasional eosinophilic bodies at the interface between the expanded portal triads and the hepatic parenchvma.

The hepatic parenchvma is generally orderly, shows virtally no ballooning change, and no steatosis. Ocassional central veins are identified. The trichrome stain does show some eveidence of periportal fibrosis, and in areas bridging fibrosis.

The diagnosis reads as follows Gross and microscopic diagnosis: Moderate chronic hepatitis C. with limited bridging fibrosis.

We think I recieved the infection in 1974 through blood transfusions. I recieved third degree burns over 40% of my body in a house fire. I feel fine and have no other symptoms. I found out about the Hep C due to a blood test for life insurance.

I would like to know your opinion about my degree of liver damage at this time and would it be prudent to wait for peginteferon as a means of treatment instead of the current inteferon2b combined with ribovirin. If so where and when can I get the Pegylated? My doctor says it's not available at this time.

Also would it be prudent to not take treatment at all considering the side effects and the low rate of eradication and remission results.

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.

Jim