Aa
retreatment of reinfection
Will a doctor retreat a reinfection of hepatitis c? I was an iv drug user from the time i was 17 until I was 18. I found out I had hep c and was treated. I cleared the virus. I just relapsed. I didn't use for 9 years and was using this past time for 2 weeks. In this time I used a needle. I know how horrible this sounds, I can't believe I did it myself. I entered a treatment program. I know the exact day that I was reinfected. It was 2weeks and 6 days ago. Isn't it true that if I am treated during the acute phase I will have a better chance of svr. Will a doctor treat me after I just did something so stupid?
You might want to wait 3 months to see if you clear on your own and can avoid treatment. If you still have viral load after three months, then you can be prepared to proceed with treatment - indicators are not much difference in success between treating now or waiting 3 months to see if you clear. Chances of success are very high for persons treated in the acute phase, regardless of genotype. Some very good reasons for getting treatment while acute. You're lucky you at least know your onset of infection. I would say you have three months to make sure you get clean and stay clean so that you can at least demonstrate to a doc that this was a terrible lapse of judgment and something you put a stop to pretty quick. The very good reason for a doc to treat you would be the high rate of success if he/she does - 90%+ - compared to the lower rate of success if they don't and the fact that treatment is 6 months only, regardless of genotype.
Some info for you. Good luck.
http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/2009icr/easl/docs/050509_a.html
Some info for you. Good luck.
http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/2009icr/easl/docs/050509_a.html
sorry but i dont get it.
you say you used a needle.was that a needle that you used already when you still had hep-c 9 years ago?
you say you used a needle.was that a needle that you used already when you still had hep-c 9 years ago?
Your doctor may want you to be clean for six months or so before he/she will treat you.
http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2010/012610_b.html
“Based on these results, the investigators concluded, "HCV re-infection is associated with a reduction in the magnitude and duration of viremia (compared with the initial infection), broadened cellular immune responses, and generation of cross-reactive humoral responses."
"These findings are consistent with development of adaptive immunity that is not sterilizing but protects against chronic disease," they added.”
“Based on these results, the investigators concluded, "HCV re-infection is associated with a reduction in the magnitude and duration of viremia (compared with the initial infection), broadened cellular immune responses, and generation of cross-reactive humoral responses."
"These findings are consistent with development of adaptive immunity that is not sterilizing but protects against chronic disease," they added.”
Wow, that was fast. Did they tell you what the viral load was?
I am curious because we will always test positive for the antibodies and also because 9 years ago when they said you were clear the tests were not as sensitive as they are these days and I am wondering if you didn't actually clear the virus the first time.
To some degree it is academic because if you have it, you have it, and I would not have thought the way you got it was a factor in whether you can be treated again or not.
If they did not tell you the viral load AND the genotype you have I would be suspicious of the test you had done and request another one that will give you that information.
I am curious because we will always test positive for the antibodies and also because 9 years ago when they said you were clear the tests were not as sensitive as they are these days and I am wondering if you didn't actually clear the virus the first time.
To some degree it is academic because if you have it, you have it, and I would not have thought the way you got it was a factor in whether you can be treated again or not.
If they did not tell you the viral load AND the genotype you have I would be suspicious of the test you had done and request another one that will give you that information.
I imagine it’s going to depend largely on the doctor as to how this is managed; he/she should have options in this.
I’d make the case that this was a temporary indiscretion on your part; emphasize that you’re in recovery, and you want to manage this aggressively. I think doctors withhold treatment for two reasons; one is that addicts tend to be less compliant with treatment meds, and the other is that they reinfected if actively using… hard to argue the second reason, eh :o)?
I’ve recently read that while previous infection doesn’t confer immunity, some studies suggest that reinfection might be less durable; ask your doctor about this, and maybe you can wait this out to see if you clear spontaneously. I’ll try to find the study on this if you’re interested.
Welcome to the discussion group, by the way. Good luck—
Bill
I’d make the case that this was a temporary indiscretion on your part; emphasize that you’re in recovery, and you want to manage this aggressively. I think doctors withhold treatment for two reasons; one is that addicts tend to be less compliant with treatment meds, and the other is that they reinfected if actively using… hard to argue the second reason, eh :o)?
I’ve recently read that while previous infection doesn’t confer immunity, some studies suggest that reinfection might be less durable; ask your doctor about this, and maybe you can wait this out to see if you clear spontaneously. I’ll try to find the study on this if you’re interested.
Welcome to the discussion group, by the way. Good luck—
Bill
I had a pcr test done hepatitis c virus was detected.
Have you had a Viral Load PCR test done? Or did they just test for the anitbodies? If you could be more specific about the test you had done I think you might be able to get some more information.
Epi :)
Epi :)
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