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.
|
|
 |
|
HEP C-GENOTYPE 4-HELP
Apr 28, 2008
Dear Dr.Govern,
My brother has hep c, genotype 4 and he will start treatment next week with pegasys once a week and copegus 6 pills per day.
How easy is treatment for genotype 4 and how long after the first shot the side effects go easier to a patient>
Thank you in advance for your time
Kind Regards
Sophie
|
 |
|
 |
|
Response from Dr. McGovern
Genotype 4 is a bit easier to treat than genotype 1 but not as easy as genotype 2 or 3 infections.
The flu like symptoms can dissipate after just a few weeks and not everyone gets them. However, other symptoms can endure for the entire treatment period, such as fatigue and loss of appetite. Your brother needs to be aware that the treatment can affect his mood so he should let his physician know if he is aware of depressive feelings or mood swings.
I would obtain a HCV RNA just before the fifth shot to see how his virus is responding and I would emphasize the importance of every single dose of ribavirin and interferon. Adherence really matters.
|
|
|
 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.
Copyright notice.
|
|
|
|
