Hepatitis C is a viral infection that attacks the liver, according to MayoClinic.com. There is an acute form that is over quickly, but at least 75 percent of people who contract hepatitis C develop the chronic form of the illness, which can linger in the body for decades, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hepatitis C causes so few symptoms early on that most people don't realize they have it until years later when liver damage is discovered. Hepatitis C can cause scarring of the liver or cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver failure. It can be treated, but not always successfully.
Antiviral Drugs
For those with severe liver damage, hepatitis C is treated with a combination of antiviral medications in hopes they will clear the virus from the body, according to MayoClinic.com. The most common treatments are the drugs interferon and ribavirin. These medications cause serious side effects, including depression, flu-like symptoms, extreme tiredness, fever, nausea, vomiting, and headache. Sometimes the side effects are so bad that treatment has to be stopped. Also, the drugs don't always work initially or at all for some people, and treatment may have to be repeated. Of those who take the medications for up to a year, up to 75 percent have no further problems from hepatitis C, according to FamilyDoctor.org.
Vaccinations
If the liver has been damaged, doctors will suggest vaccinations against hepatitis A and B, according to MayoClinic.com. These are separate viruses that also attack the liver and can worsen a patient's condition as well as make it harder to treat hepatitis C.
Liver Transplant
If a liver is badly damaged or has developed cancer, doctors may recommend a liver transplant, according to MayoClinic.com. Surgeons remove the damaged liver and replace it with a healthy one, usually from a cadaver but sometimes from a living donor. This is not a cure because the hepatitis C virus may remain in the body and can attack the new liver. Therefore, the patient will need to keep taking antiviral medications.
Lifestyle Changes
Patients with severe liver damage are advised to avoid alcohol, which can quicken the deterioration of their liver, according to MayoClinic.com. They will also be counseled to avoid some prescription and over-the-counter medications as well as supplements that can also do more damage to the liver. For example, the common painkiller acetaminophen can quicken the pace of liver damage. They will also be asked to commit to a healthy lifestyle in hopes that will slow the progression of the disease. This includes a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables, regular exercise, and adequate sleep. People with hepatitis C should see a doctor who specializes in the treating the disease regularly for monitoring.
