Hepatitis C, or hepatitis C, is a disease whose treatment is becoming easier and easier. Doctors have modern drugs at their disposal, thanks to which it is possible to almost completely eliminate hepatitis C. These drugs have no side effects and work much faster than previously used. One of the preparations was included in the therapeutic program financed by the National He alth Fund in May 2015.

Hepatitis C , otherwisehepatitis C , is a disease for whichtreatmentbecomes getting easier. In May 2015, the therapeutic program financed by the National He alth Fund included a drug that directly hits the virus, slowing down the disease process or stopping it completely.

hepatitis C - treatment

Viral hepatitis treatment plan is individual based on viral genotype. Until now, the standard of treatment was subcutaneous injection of pegylated interferon alpha, which helps to fight off various pathogens in the body, including viruses, in combination with the oral antiviral drug ribavirin. The treatment could last, depending on the genotype of the virus and the condition of the liver, from 24 to 72 weeks.

According to Robert Plisko, the president of HTA Consulting, for the treatment of individual stages of HCV infection in one person you need to spend: PLN 250 for diagnostics, 1-5 thousand zlotys. PLN for unit hospitalization due to complications, 97-220 thousand. PLN for the treatment of chronic hepatitis, 99 thousand. PLN for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and 200 thousand. PLN for a transplant. Experts from the Center for European Policy Studies in Brussels have calculated that the costs of treating complications of hepatitis C are 13 to 29 times higher than the costs of treating the early stages of the disease. By implementing an effective screening program and increasing access to the diagnosis and treatment of chronic HCV infections, Poland could save over PLN 30 billion in the next 7 years. The conclusions are obvious. According to a large epidemiological study - over 250 thousand. Poles must undergo treatment as soon as possible. The costs of combating HCV infections are rising, but the effectiveness of the therapies used is also growing.

The use of interferon in the treatment of hepatitis C in 1990 gave only 2-7 percent. chances of recovery. In 1995, the combination of interferon and ribavirin increased the chances of patients to 16-28%. Inclusion of interferon in therapypegylated and ribavirin increased the effectiveness of the treatment to 45-50%. (depending on the genotype of the virus). When triple therapy was introduced in 2011, the chances of patients recovering increased to 64-71%.

Modern drugs for hepatitis C already financed by the National He alth Fund

Currently, doctors have drugs that allow to completely eliminate Hepatitis C. The latest form of treatment without interferon, which has been available in Poland since July 1, 2015, increases the chances of patients recovering to 90-100 percent. In addition, these drugs have no side effects and work much faster than the ones used so far. They are Viekirax Exviera, Sovaldi, Harvoni and Olysio. The latter was included in the therapeutic program financed by the National He alth Fund in May 2015 (so far, a monthly therapy with the above-mentioned drugs costs about PLN 200,000).

Beinterferon drugs, which have been on the reimbursement list since 1 July 2015, provide excellent treatment for approximately 90 percent. people infected with HCV, but fail to solve the problems of some patients infected with genotype 3 and some patients with very advanced liver disease.

Important

The best known and most frequently attacking hepatotropic viruses (causing inflammation of the liver) are marked with the first letters of the alphabet: A, B and C. So far, types D, E, G and TTV have also been identified. We can get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B. The vaccine against hepatitis B also protects against hepatitis D. There are no vaccines for other types of the virus (including C).

Hepatitis C Necessary Control

In many patients, under the influence of drugs, the concentration of the type C virus in the blood decreases quite quickly (it may even disappear). This is called early virological response. It can be confirmed by blood tests performed during therapy. To find out if the body has actually de alt with HCV, blood tests are performed using the PCR method and the so-called liver tests. Remember that even if the test results are good, it does not mean a cure. The tests have to be repeated anyway. It may turn out that the HCV virus has survived, for example, in bone marrow cells, and then the disease may relapse.

An infected person who follows the rules of hygiene may not be a source of infection for both household members and colleagues. Therefore, using the same bathroom or toilet as the sick person, using the same plates, shaking hands or kissing should not raise concerns in he althy people. The sick person must be careful when, for example, they injure themselves or have menstruation - pack the dressings and used hygiene products tightly.

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"Star of Hope" Foundation

The "Gwiazda Nadziei" Foundation is a public benefit organization whose aim is he alth protection activities consisting in he alth promotion, preventive he alth care, saving human lives, especially people with liver diseases, and improving their he alth. More information at www.g Gwiazdanadziei.pl

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