Hepatitis C can be cured

Liver disease caused by hepatitis C virus is dangerous. But, early detection and the latest developments in the treatment of hepatitis C patients the opportunity to enhance recovery.

Hepatitis C virus mainly transmitted by blood transfusion or injection drug use. Potential to become chronic is very large, about 70-80 percent. Next 20-30 percent will experience liver cirrhosis in 20-30 years time. Some of it will continue to be a liver cancer.

The journey was an impressive disease sinister disease. But according to doctors Superior Budihusodo, SpPD, from sub section hepatologist, University of Indonesia Faculty of Medicine, patients with hepatitis C can be cured if diagnosed and treated early. Moreover, the development of hepatitis into cirrhosis or even liver cancer may take a dozen to tens of years.

"If the patient is detected hepatitis C virus infection at a young age and get immediate treatment, the possibility of recovery is quite large, up to 80 percent," said Dr. seminar Excelling in Hepatitis C problem in Indonesia, which was held in Jakarta some time ago.

Excellent doctors say, there are several factors that influence the success of drug therapies, namely the type of virus, the amount of virus in the body, the patient's age, condition of liver disease, when treatment begins, and the compliance of patients in therapy. "Patients who are generally young age greater chances better," he said.

In addition, patients infected with hepatitis C virus type 2 and type 3 a lot of successful recovery.

"Unfortunately, the type of virus that many in our country is a type 1 more stubborn," he said. To determine the genotype of the virus, patients are required to perform blood tests.

This virus genotype will determine the duration of treatment should be done. Patients with hepatitis C virus type 2 and 3 only require treatment for 6 months. While patients with type 1 virus have to do treatment for 12 months.

Liver disease experts today recommend a combination therapy of interferon and the antiviral drug called ribavirin as the best drug choice for hepatitis C. The drug is injected once a week for several months depending on the genotype of the virus.