If you have hepatitis C, you need to discuss treatment options with your doctor. Early treatment of chronic hepatitis C is very important and the longer a person with hepatitis C remains untreated, the greater the chance they will experience fibrosis (scarring) of their liver. In turn, the more fibrotic the liver becomes, the more difficult it is to achieve sustained viral response, or SVR (blood clear of HCV six months after end of treatment).1
Unless your body has fought off the infection by itself, which happens only in about 15% of cases, treatment may be needed to control chronic hepatitis C and to help reduce the chances of liver damage. Since this disease can get worse and damage your liver over time, it is very important to seek proper treatment and care from your doctor.
Starting treatment early, while still in the best physical condition — with a strong mindset, and with dependable support and information resources — will help you cope with the challenges involved.
Make sure to:
- Read through the Recently Diagnosed section for information specifically geared to new patients.
- Adopt a healthy lifestyle — avoid alcohol, eat nutritious foods, and exercise — to help strengthen your immune system and improve your overall health and well being. Ask your doctor about receiving vaccines for hepatitis A and B to protect you from these other liver-damaging viruses.
- Discuss treatment options with your doctor as soon as possible even if you have no symptoms. Hepatitis C is known as the "silent disease," as many times symptoms do not appear until considerable liver damage has already occurred.
The decision to start treatment for hepatitis C can be complicated, yet it is one that should not be delayed. Talk to your doctor about treatment options. Schering's COMMITMENT TO CARE® has been designed to aid eligible patients in receiving therapy with Schering products. Just one call connects you to a reimbursement assistance specialist to explore your reimbursement options.
1 Manns MP, McHutchinison JG, Gordon SC et al. Peginterferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin compared with interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin for initial treatment of chronic hepatitis C: a randomized trial. Lancet. 2001;358:958-965.
