between 10 and 40 years, but this can be accelerated by other factors like alcohol use or
HIV infection. HCV runs a close second to chronic alcoholism as the
cause of cirrhosis.
HCV is transmitted easily through use of contaminated needles. It's harder
to pick up HCV sexually (people with multiple sex partners may be more
at risk) and mother-to-baby transmission is estimated between 5 and 7
per cent.
Treatment for HCV includes combination therapies of interferon injections
and ribavirin capsules, both of which have side effects, and is only offered
to those over 18 years once a biopsy (small sample taken from your liver)
shows moderate to severe liver damage.
The course of injections and capsules lasts between 6
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and 12 months but only works in between 30 and 40 per cent of cases.
Chances of success appear greater in people whose immune systems are still
relatively intact. For the rest, treatment may slow the damage caused,
by reducing viral load. Adherence plays an important part too. Treatment
is not recommended for people who are continuing injecting drug users.
A newer type of interferon (pegylated interferon alfa 2b) is available,
still taken in combo with ribavirin capsules, and seems more effective
with the advantage that it is only injected once a week, instead of three
times with standard interferon. Levovirin
is a 'new generation' ribavirin in development that appears far less toxic than the older version.
