How and what is hepatitis C treated for? How to treat hepatitis C at home?

The date of the official birth of the hepatitis C virus can be considered 1989. Until this time, no specific diagnostic systems have been developed for its identification. Once in the human body, the hepatitis C virus, in simple words, provokes an inflammatory process in the liver. Across the world, infection is currently an extremely serious problem for them. To understand, with the use of which methods and with which drugs hepatitis C is treated, it is necessary to get acquainted with the problem more thoroughly.

Who is who

The causative agents of hepatitis types A and B were identified back in the 70s of the 20th century. However, after this, scientists have speculated that there are other types of this disease ("neither A nor B"). The point of all doubts was raised in 1989, when in the process of carrying out numerous analyzes of human blood, another specific viral agent was identified, which was given the name "hepatitis C virus". Immediately appeared a lot of very different questions about how dangerous hepatitis C is, how to treat it, what medicines to apply.

The bulk of scientists and medical specialists are in solidarity with each other in the opinion that this form of the disease is the most dangerous of all known. It is this form in common speech that is called a "gentle killer", since the infection can not manifest itself for years, so to speak, behave "quieter than water, below the grass," while intensively hitting the liver cells and provoking serious complications. A person at this time is not that not interested in what hepatitis C is treated for, and in general does not suspect the presence of such a dangerous disease.

Possible ways of infection

The mechanism of infection with the hepatitis C virus is parenteral, hematogenic (i.e., infection occurs through the blood). This is possible in several situations. First, the transfusion of donor blood to the recipient. According to statistics, up to 2% of donors worldwide are carriers of the virus. For this reason, before transfusing blood, it is examined for the presence of an agent in it (it is cheaper than to treat a person then). And, nevertheless, about 4% of all cases of infection occur in the process of blood transfusion.

Secondly, the use for medical procedures and injections of one needle by different people. Most of these infections are among drug addicts and people who receive medication intravenously. What drugs treat hepatitis C, will be described below.

Thirdly, the likelihood of infection increases in those people who are due to contact with blood products (we are talking about the medical staff).

Next, you can "get" an infection during sexual intercourse. The likelihood of contracting within the family when dealing with a regular partner is negligible. However, with random contacts, the risk of infection with the hepatitis C virus increases manyfold, since its carriers are about 3% of homosexuals, about 6% of mild-tempered women and 4% of the regular "clients" of the venereologist.

From mother to child, the virus is transmitted very rarely. Infection with breast milk does not occur during lactation at all, so nursing women are interested in the question of how they cure hepatitis C and whether it is dangerous for the child, there is no need at all.

Further, there is a high probability of getting infected during the application to the body of a tattoo or performing piercing, acupuncture, piercing the ears with unstable needles. And about 40% of the sick do not know at all or do not remember what or who could become a source.

Symptomatics

Before considering the question of how hepatitis C is treated, it is necessary to understand when a person should begin to worry, listen to their condition and consult a doctor as soon as possible.

The main feature of the hepatitis C virus is its variability, ability and propensity to mutations. The disease can occur in two forms. If the virus replicates intensively, it invisibly damages the liver cells, and the rate of this destructive process exceeds the liver's own capacity for regeneration. In this case, there is a process of replacement of hepatocytes (liver cells) with cicatricial (connective) tissue. In this situation, the functions of the organ suffer. If the replication process proceeds slowly, the regenerating capacity of the liver restores damage.

Anxiety symptoms are not always present. During the incubation period (approximately 50 days) a person can feel normal and learn about infection completely by accident. However, there are nonspecific symptoms of hepatitis, where there is a need to seek medical advice. These include weakness, rapid fatigue, asthenia (chronic fatigue syndrome).

Stages of the survey

As a rule, for the overwhelming majority of patients, a positive reaction to the hepatitis C virus becomes a complete surprise. However, to despair and ask a sacramental question, but whether hepatitis C is treated at all, it is not worth it. The next step should be the passage of further examination. First, you need to re-do a blood test to make sure there is a virus-causing agent. If the reaction is still positive, the doctor will appoint a number of additional procedures.

Ultrasound of the liver (ultrasound) will allow the doctor to thoroughly study the structure of the hepatic tissue and the condition of neighboring organs. This procedure can be done repeatedly without any harm to health.

Fibroscanning of the liver or elastometry will allow to evaluate the course of chronic processes in the liver and the effectiveness of the therapy (if it is already underway).

The most important examination, which will give the doctor maximum information about the liver, is a biopsy. Taken on the analysis and evaluated under the microscope, liver cells will allow the doctor to draw conclusions about whether the process is already chronic, whether a complication in the form of cirrhosis has developed by the time of the study. It is after this analysis that the doctor will decide on which method to treat this patient specifically, with which drugs (hepatitis C is treated with the use of certain complexes of special medicines).

The procedure for taking a biopsy is generally quite simple and does not carry any danger. The patient lying on his back is given local anesthesia in the upper right segment of the abdomen, a special needle is pierced by the skin and a small part of the hepatic tissue is taken for research.

Standard therapy regimens

In order to determine the scheme of treatment and the set of medications, their doses and the frequency of their admission, it is important for the doctor to know the genotype of the hepatitis C virus. Currently, 6 of them have been isolated, and they are generally designated by numbers from 1 to 6. In the world In turn, each genotype has subtypes / subtypes, which are denoted by Latin letters and are attached to the digit of the genotype (1a, 3b, etc.).

The first and fourth genotypes are recorded in patients extremely rarely, but at the same time they are the most stable (approximately twice as compared to others) to antiviral therapy, regardless of what they treat hepatitis C. 3 genotype, as, indeed, all the others, Are amenable to therapy according to several methods approved by the entire world community.

The most economical scheme is to take any injectable interferon (no suppositories, capsules, drops, etc.) in a volume of 3 IU (million units). Periodicity - at least every other day. Additionally, any ribavirin is prescribed for daily administration. The dose depends on the weight of the patient. At a body weight of up to 65 kg, it is necessary to take at least 800 mg per day, with a greater weight of 1200 mg.

The most optimal scheme involves the administration of interferon in a dose of 6 IU daily until normalizing ALT. Over the next 12 weeks, 6 ME each, but every other day. Further on 3 IU up to the termination of a course of therapy. Ribavirin - throughout the treatment in a dose as indicated above.

For those who are not constrained in financial means, in general there is no question of what is most effective than treating hepatitis C. Antiviral medications in this case are ribavirin and "Peginterferon" once a week.

With regard to the duration of therapy, the standard period is 24 weeks with a dose of ribavirin 800 mg, regardless of weight. If genotyping revealed that the patient has genotype 1, the treatment period is doubled to 48 weeks, and ribavirin is prescribed (and accepted) in full.

Foreign novelties

What is the treatment for hepatitis C in Europe? In principle, interferon therapy is relevant all over the world. However, the EU approved a new combination of drugs for treatment of type C. These drugs are called "Viekirax" and "Exvier". The form of release of both medicines is a pill (that is, there is no need for multiple injections of interferon). The composition of Viekarax includes ombitasvir, paritrapeprir and ritonavir. The main active component of the "Exvier" is dasabuvir.

Treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 1 is approved using a new combination of drugs in combination with or without ribavirin. These drugs will also be effective for patients with compensated cirrhosis of the liver, patients on substitution therapy, and those who have undergone liver transplantation. Clinical studies involving more than 2,300 people showed that 95% of patients with hepatitis C of genotype 1 were fully cured. In addition, the new scheme is well tolerated (98% of patients underwent complete treatment).

Alternative methods of treatment of hepatitis C: phytotherapy

Alternative methods of therapy for hepatitis C include various options for self-treatment with a variety of roots, fruits and herbs, of which there are a great many. However, before you ask yourself how to treat hepatitis C folk recipes, you still need to consult a phyto-therapeutist doctor, since many plants, their fruits, leaves and roots are toxic.

The patients consider the rhizomes of marsh aura as an effective remedy , from which the infusion is prepared. 1 teaspoon of the crushed root is poured with 1 glass of boiling water and allowed to stand for 20 minutes. Take this infusion four times a day for half an hour before eating half a cup.

An answer to the question of how to treat hepatitis C at home, many patients consider such a remedy as a mummy. 4 grams of substance are bred in warm milk, add grape juice and honey to it. This compound is taken twice a day before meals. After that, it is recommended to eat a raw homemade egg.

There are a lot of different recipes and recommendations that will help if you do not cope with hepatitis C, then at least improve your health.

Juices and hepatitis C

Another alternative answer to the question of how to treat hepatitis C at home is to drink juices.

A good effect will give cabbage juice (a glass 2-3 times a day) or a mixture of cabbage and beet juice (the latter - no more than a quarter of a glass). Important: after pressing the juice should be allowed to settle for at least 4-5 hours.

Further, they say that positive results can be achieved by taking half a glass of freshly squeezed pumpkin juice daily. The condition of a person will improve as well when taking tinctures from peanuts, berries of ziphis and sugar. In boiling water (250 ml), pour out 50 g of each ingredient and boil for 30 minutes, then cool. It is recommended to be taken at bedtime for 30 days.

Even than treat hepatitis C? Yes, a simple dandelion. Someone cooks jam from this flower, and someone is sure that it will help infusion from the roots (chopped raw materials are poured with boiling water and insist for 40 minutes). Take this medicine before eating 1 tablespoon.

Diet and lifestyle of a patient with hepatitis C

Phytotherapy, fruits, juices and infusion from plants - this is all, how does the answer to the question on how to treat hepatitis C at home? It turns out that it is of fundamental importance to observe a certain diet. It is necessary to increase the share of dairy products, cereals and cereals in the total diet. It will be necessary to reduce to a minimum the consumption of various kinds of smoked products, chocolate, canned food and marinades, alcohol and fried foods. In addition, it is important not to overeat before going to bed and drink during the day at least three liters of fluid.

With all these recommendations, medical experts agree. Physicians assign alcohol to the special role in worsening the state of health. It is among fans of alcoholic beverages that most often develop a complication in the form of cirrhosis of the liver. All that the patient can sometimes afford is a glass of wine or beer.

If cirrhosis is already confirmed, the doctor will most likely recommend a low-salt diet to minimize the delay in the body's fluid.

As for the way of life, at normal household contacts the probability of transmission of the hepatitis C virus is practically zero. The main thing is to pay attention to cuts, burns and other damage to the skin, as infection occurs only through the blood. Very little risk exists when having sex. To avoid stressful conditions and unnecessary experiences in such cases, doctors recommend using condoms.

Summarizing

No one is insured from the "affectionate killer". All of us are sick, we treat our teeth, we do manicures and pedicures, we are in public places with bruises and cuts. In all these situations, it is potentially possible to get hepatitis C and not to notice it (and not to notice for a long time yet). If the disease is a fait accompli, do not look for information on what and how hepatitis C is treated. Drugs and treatment regimen are selected by the doctor individually for each individual patient based on the results of the clinical examination. What is really important is to seek qualified help as soon as possible. After all, you can not let the acute inflammatory process transform into a chronic one.

As for the treatment of hepatitis C at home, you can, of course, significantly improve your health with the help of herbs, tinctures from leaves and plant roots, fruit and fruit juices. However, there is no known case of complete recovery in such treatment. And would scientists of the whole world spend their years of their lives, and corporations - billions of dollars for research and development of new drugs, if everything was so simple - I drank a tincture a month (or a year - the term is not important) - and got rid of the hepatitis C virus ?