Hepatitis C Support Group

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral disease which can cause liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by blood-to-blood contact with an infected person's blood. Many people with HCV infection have no symptoms and are unaware of the need to seek treatment. Hepatitis C infects an estimated 150-200 million people worldwide.

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After Being CuredCan Hep C Return?

ImKramer
ImKramer
This may have already been posted and if so I apologize. I just came across this article this morning and found it very interesting and reassuring.
Have a read if you like!

Nicole Cutler L.Ac.
August 14, 2014
Understand the circumstances dictating why a sustained virologic response for Hepatitis C could be temporary or permanent.
read at:
http://www.hepatitiscentral.com/mt/archives/2014/08/after-being-cured-can-hep-c-return.html
WarriorGal
WarriorGal
SVR [ UD 6 months EOT] means the virus is probably permanently gone. Hepatitis C is highly unlikely to return after a person achieves SVR, but:
studies have shown that with a six-month SVR, relapse occurs in 1 to 2 percent of patients.

The return of Hepatitis C after living one year without the virus is even rarer.
WarriorGal
WarriorGal
The article talks about RE-INFECTION but it is unclear of the 1-2 prevent of "relapse" after SVR-24 is a recurrence because of a sneaky virus left behind or if it is in fact re-infection...or if there is any way to know for sure other than self reporting of patients who CAN lie about an embarrassing slip.
ImKramer
ImKramer
It seems clear to me.
WarriorGal
WarriorGal
well, please share your clarity
erniecoolcat
erniecoolcat
An embarrassing slip. Lol. No shit!!

I wouldn't even want to face my providers if I got reinfected. I'd change my insurance plan. ;-) I've been a very good kitty though. Lessons learned. This f@cking disease changed my life. :-)~
abbiecee
abbiecee
I can't speak for Imkramer but the article seems clear to me too. It says that the "ability of Hepatitis C viral particles to hide and wait longer than half a year to replicate is slim, but not impossible."
So, not impossible = possible. I don't think that any relapse after 6 months means that people had "an embarrassing slip" (i.e. high risk behaviour) just like I don't believe everyone was infected due to high risk behaviour. IMHO.
WarriorGal
WarriorGal
yes, i read that it is possible...but i would have to read the study to know how they determined that the 1-2% were a result off THAT vs reinfection.

I read nothing that clarified that. I DO suffer lots of brain fog from old age, RA. fatigue and meds...but...
ImKramer
ImKramer
I could be wrong and be missing your point but to me it seem to be broken into two separate parts. The discussion about the virus returning after set number of months (1 to 2%). Intrinsically.
The other part was just talking about folks who reinfect themselves extrinsically (The virus is reintroduced).
The way I comprehend it, it's clear to me and I consider good news statistics.
WarriorGal
WarriorGal
It's good news but it could be even BETTER news.

"studies have shown that with a six-month SVR, relapse occurs in 1 to 2 percent of patients."

i'd like to see the actual studies and know how many people were studied and how they determined none of the "relapsers" did NOT reinfect themselves.

If even one in each study reinfected that coinages the stats FOR THE BETTER!!! Maybe the truth is that it NEVER comes back on its own...wouldn't THAT be spectacular?!
ImKramer
ImKramer
Never's would be wonderful, never dying in a MVA, never having cancer come out of remission,and on and on. I'm good with 1 to 2%. Folks that behave recklessly after SVR12, well the numbers would be way higher than 1 to 2%. That's reinfection.
I'm pretty well done picking this apart. For me I see no reason to over think it. To me it seems pretty clear and puts a little comfort in my heart.
Okay I'm on to new stuff! (Love new stuff :))