Hep C Diagnosis

[lovemykittypie]

A family member was diagnosed HCV 1 this last week. It is in the very beginning stages of the infection contracting within the last 6 months. The Dr has recommended waiting 1 year before treating due to the possibility of the body shedding the virus naturally. Is this a typical way to proceed with this diagnosis?

[Dee1956]

Hello there! As Nan said yes some people are able to fight it off.
It is a very slow moving virus so is not something you have to treat right away.
Plus with newer easier drugs coming along, it is getting much easier to treat and be cured from.

I wish you and your family a lot of luck.  Keep in touch
Take Care

[nan535]

Here is some information on Acute HCV Infection

Definitions of Acute HCV Infection: Most commonly, acute hepatitis C infection is defined as the 6-month time period following acquisition of hepatitis C virus.  The definition of acute hepatitis C is irrespective to whether the patient has clinical signs or symptoms of acute hepatitis. The rationale for choosing 6 months as the time period to define acute infection is based on evidence that most individuals who clear HCV will do so by 6 months.

http://hepatitisc.uw.edu/go/screening-diagnosis/acute-diagnosis/core-concept/all

The doctor may actually want to wait for treatments in the pipeline that have higher cure rates, a shorter term treatment, and fewer side effects than a interferon/ribavirin treatment.

Nan