Treatment and Monitoring

Positive living 60 years old women hopeful stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

Treatment for Hepatitis C and Management of Hepatitis B

There is a cure for hepatitis C (HCV) through highly effective medications with minimal side effects. Although hepatitis B (HBV) cannot be completely cured, individuals with chronic HBV can take medications that lower their levels of virus and reduce the risk of liver damage which will enable them to live a healthy life. Once diagnosed, it is essential to get linked to a provider for ongoing treatment and follow-up.

Diagnosed with HCV (chronic)?

A female doctor sits at her desk and chats to an elderly female patient while looking at her test results A female doctor sits at her desk and chats to an elderly female patient while looking at her test results talk to a doctor stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

1. Find a provider that treats HCV

For many people, receiving a diagnosis of HCV can cause a great deal of anxiety. A provider will explain curative treatment and answer any questions about lab tests, medications and side effects. Depending on the geographical area, treatment may be through a primary care provider or a specialist.

Are you newly diagnosed?

Resources for screening and treatment

African American woman calls health services over the phone and seeks medical advice while holding a bottle of pills in her hand A young woman is at home, she is communicating with the doctor via mobile phone while holding a bottle of medicine in her hand african american doctor talking with patient stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

2. Take medications as instructed by your provider

In the past, treatment for HCV caused uncomfortable side effects and some had to be administered through an IV. Currently, direct acting antivirals (DAAs) are medications in pill form taken over 8-12 weeks with minimal side effects. Over 90% of people are cured of HCV after completing treatment. The DAAs stop the virus from replicating, this means there is no more hepatitis C virus inside a person who has been cured. People can take DAAs even if they are smoking, using drugs or alcohol.

HCV medications: An overview for patients

DAAs: Side effects management handouts

Man receiving an electro cardio chest procedure

3. Continue to get checkups and monitor your liver health.

People who have lived with chronic hepatitis C may have liver damage that persists even after they are cured, and the viral infection is gone. People must work with their providers to have ongoing monitoring for worsening liver damage or liver cancer. It is also a good opportunity to get vaccinated for hepatitis A and B if not already immune to reduce the chance of getting another infection that could injure the liver.
Monitoring after treatment

Infants exposed to HCV during the birth

If a mother is infected with HCV at the time of delivery, the virus can be passed on to the baby in 4% to 6% of cases. The risk of infection with HCV for the baby is higher if the mom also has HIV or HBV. Unfortunately, HCV cannot be treated during pregnancy, so there is no medication that can be used to prevent the virus from passing to the baby.

Thankfully, children as young as three years can be treated safely and effectively with DAAs. The infants born to mothers with HCV should be tested for HCV using the HCV antibody test at age 18 months, although it is also possible to test with the HCV RNA confirmatory test at age 2 months.

Hepatitis B and hepatitis C in pregnancy
HCV and your new baby

Diagnosed with HBV (chronic)?

Young african american patient discussing illness treatment with doctor. Focused young african american patient discussing illness treatment with skilled indian gp doctor physician, telling complaints at regular checkup meeting in modern clinic office, healthcare concept. black physician talking to patient stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

1. Find a provider who manages chronic HBV

People with HBV should find a provider with experience managing HBV and who is able to regularly monitor liver function. This provider might be someone who specializes in treating people with infectious, digestive, or liver diseases. You may need a referral from your primary care provider to get connected to a specialist.

Are you newly diagnosed?

Resources for screening and treatment

2. Talk to your provider about medications

There are several medications approved to treat chronic HBV. However, not everyone needs to take medications and they can cause side effects in some people. Since there is no cure for HBV, these medications need to be taken indefinitely. People living with chronic HBV should protect their liver by getting vaccinated against hepatitis A (HAV) and getting tested for HCV.

Treatment options for HBV

Multiracial women having fun during trekking day in to the wood - Escape to nature and travel concept Multiracial women having fun during trekking day in to the wood - Escape to nature and travel concept walking group stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

3. Manage HBV with lifestyle changes

People living with chronic HBV infection can expect to live a long and healthy life. There are decisions people can make to protect their liver such as seeing a liver specialist or health care provider regularly, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, and eating healthy foods if available. Protecting others from transmission of HBV includes using condoms during sex each and every time even with a consistent partner; not sharing household sharps that may contain blood such as razors, toothbrushes and nail trimmers; not sharing drug paraphernalia; and using universal precautions when bleeding.

Adults living with HBV (pdf)

Infants exposed to HBV during the birth

Baby's visit to the doctor pediatrician stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

Nearly all infants exposed to HBV will develop chronic hepatitis B unless they receive the necessary shots at the right time. Neonates must receive protective antibodies (hepatitis b immune globulin) and the HBV vaccine within 12 hours after birth to protect them from chronic infection. It is important that they receive the next two doses of the vaccine and get retested according to standards of care to make sure they have not acquired HBV.

HBV during pregnancy