Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Treatment

Left untreated, hepatitis C can cause serious liver damage, including liver cancer; currently the fastest rising cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. In fact, deaths from hepatitis C have nearly doubled over the past decade, now accounting for more than 15,000 each year.

More important to note is that hepatitis C can be cured in the majority of cases with proper treatment. In the past, few options were available for the treatment of hepatitis C, and those that existed weren’t very effective. Today, there are a variety of oral medications (direct-acting antivirals ) available to treat hepatitis C quickly and efficiently. Because of their efficacy and safety, the use of DAAs has substantially improved HCV treatment and made HCV eradication possible for most patients, including patients with HIV infection, severe renal and hepatic impairment, and history of organ transplantation. (1)

If you think you or someone you know might have hepatitis C, don't risk it! Our compassionate providers here at Greater Texoma Health Clinic are able to test, diagnose, and treat hepatitis C, and will walk you through every step in the process. 

The CDC recommends hepatitis C testing for the following populations:

• Baby boomers: Everyone born from 1945 to 1965
• Current or former injection drug users, including those who injected only once many years ago
• Anyone who received clotting factor concentrates made before 1987
• Recipients of blood transfusions or solid organ transplants prior to July 1992
• Long-term hemodialysis patients
• People with known exposures to the hepatitis C virus, such as health care workers or public safety workers after needle sticks involving blood from someone infected with hepatitis C virus
• Recipients of blood or organs from a donor who tested positive for the hepatitis C virus
• People with HIV infection
• Children born to mothers with hepatitis C

Other experts, including a group that helps set health policies in the United States, called the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends hepatitis C testing for additional groups including:

• People in jails or prisons
• People who use drugs snorted through the nose (in addition to people who inject drugs),
• People who get an unregulated tattoo (2)

1. Marks K, Naggie S. Management of Hepatitis C in 2019. JAMA. Published online May 17, 2019. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.5353
2. CDC. Recommendations for the identification of chronic hepatitis C virus infection among persons born during 1945–1965. MMWR 2012;61(No. RR-4).