Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

What is autoimmune hep?

What is autoimmune hepatitis ...can one have this as well as HepC?  Or does HepC cause autoimmune hep?
2 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I understand that the Hep C virus lives in liver cells and the immune system attacks the virus killing it and the host cells. I believe that after many years, the immune system may start attacking the healthy cells as well which is the autoimmune hepatitis induced by hepC.

There may be cases where due to some malfunction of the immune system, it may start attacking the liver with no history of viral hepatitis.

If during treatment the liver enzymes go up instead of down, it is worth testing for autoimmune response. I had a test which showed a weak auto-immune response, but it was enhanced during IFN tx and I didn't respond.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I don't know if HepC is related in anyway, but here is a decent article about Autoimmune Hep.

http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/dept/gi/autoimmune.html
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis Social Community

Top Hepatitis Answerers
317787 tn?1473358451
DC
683231 tn?1467323017
Auburn, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.