Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.
The participation of Dr. McGovern in this
Forum is made possible in part by an independent educational grant
from Roche Laboratories.
Ask the Experts about Hepatitis and HIV Coinfection
I was superinfected: HIV/HVB/HCV/HDV/EBV. HIV undetectable; HVB now neg for surf antibody/antigen/core tests/rna vial load, etc. -- all tests now neg. Been on Pegylated interferon/ribavirin for 27 wks. My Heptalogist says it's "up to you" whether I stop therapy at 36 or 48 wks and a "toss up" if it will even help. my genotype was 2b, but my baseline vl was skyhigh at 9.5 million, undetect. on Heptimax test at wk 12, 20 and 24, and I apparently had all the deseases since a massive series of blood transfusions in 1983 consequent to a bad crash. I keep reading about better sustained virological response rates the longer ones stays on the therapy which for me was pretty bad and bearable only by the hope of finally "curing" one of these viruses. I know this is sketchy information but can you give a recommendation? I've followed this site and your many thoughtful responses---and always been right on the nail and I've been always been completely adherent, so thank you very much!
Advertisement
Response from Dr. McGovern
If I understand correctly, you have only acquired hepatitis C infection with genotype 2b and you are currently taking pegylated interferon and ribavirin for 27 weeks. I would be very much influenced by your four week viral load response. If you achieved a non-detectable viral load, probably 24 weeks was already enough. If your physician is treating you longer, perhaps your viral load was detectable at four weeks and he or she is concerned about treating longer.
If you did not have any viral load testing at 4 weeks, I still think 24 weeks would be ample for genotype 2b since in general it is exquisitely sensitive to interferon. Greater than 75-85% of patients with genotype 2 infection responded to treatment in most of the large treatment trials. It is the best genotype to treat.
If there is residual concern about the viral load or that you have very advanced liver disease/scarring, underlying insulin resistance or other factors that can interfere with response, then 36 weeks may be reasonable. However, I certainly wouldn't treat for 48 weeks for a genotype 2b infection.
Want to read more questions and answers on this subject? Our experts have answered many similar questions!
Please remember that this forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not engaged through this
forum in rendering legal or medical advice or professional services. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible
for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.
Questions and messages posted to this forum are not statements of advice, opinion, or information of The Body, Body Health Resources Corporation or any sponsor of this
forum. While neither The Body nor Body Health Resources Corporation regularly reviews posted content, we reserve the right to delete, move, or
edit postings if we deem it appropriate under the circumstances. Visitors submitting questions remain solely responsible for the content of their
messages.
Information provided by experts is general only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as
legal or other professional advice. This information is not a substitute for professional advice or care. If you have or suspect you may have a
health or legal problem, you should consult your own health care provider or your attorney.
E-Mail
Glossary
Response from Dr. McGovern
