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Ask the Experts about Hepatitis and HIV Coinfection
Hi, recently diagnosed with acute Hep C. Very bad reaction to it, which the doctor says is good as it is more probable that I will clear the virus by myself. My CD4 is 900 and VL undetectable. How long before I know if I will clear it wthout medication?
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Response from Dr. McGovern
Excellent question.
You should have serial monitoring of your HCV RNA levels over about a 10 to 12 week period. If you don't clear the virus by then, I would treat your hepatitis C infection with pegylated interferon alfa 2a (Pegasys) and ribavirin therapy. I use combination therapy in HIV infected patients who get acute HCV infection.
There are data which suggest that early treatment will result in cure most of the time - even in HIV infected patients. Your doctor is correct in saying that symptomatic hepatitis C has a better chance of spontaneous clearance than asymptomatic (without symptoms) hepatitis.
Best of luck to you. Hope all goes well. Also remember to get your immunizations updated (if necessary) against other hepatitis viruses (A and B).
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