hcv treatment

[shams2222]

my 10 years old son is hcv positive for th last one year. his alt fluctuates between 50 and 100. his qualitative pcr is positive. his quantitative pcr is 182,300 copies/ml. genotype is 3. weight is 32 kg. please suggest me  at treatment for him. weather i should go for peggylated interferon theraphy? or simple interferon with or without ribavirin. i shall be highly thankful to

[newleaf09]

There are pediatric gastroenterologists in large cities with teaching hospitals.  They do treat children.  You need to take him to see one and take their advice.  While the treatment is a rough one, I don't think it is too bad for children.  If they can be home-schooled while treating, they generally take the treatment in stride and don't mind sitting around on the couch for months, which can really aggravate adults.  He has a low viral load so there is a possibilty that he may respond so well to the standard meds that he may be allowed to treat for a shorter period.  Take the pediatric specialist's advice.

[nygirl7]

Treatment needs to be interferon and ribavirin in order for it to work.  

Treatment is very difficult and unless he has a lot of liver damage somehow already (which is doubtful as he is very young and hasn't been drinking or doing drugs or anything that will help contribute to the damage) I would hesitate treating until he is a bit older. Hep is a very slowly progressing disease and in many cases with good liver health practice....he could most likely wait for years until he is older/stronger/more mature to deal with it.

It's hard even for adults to manage - but you simply can't do one med without the other or the chances of success are minimal at best.