Comments on: If You’re Poz, Get Tested For Hep C

By: Lars Svenson

Lars Svenson — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:32:43 +0000

“What I don’t understand is why they’re not worried about sexual transmission among neg guys.”
… because there is a witch hunt going on.

By: Martin

Martin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:32:53 +0000

“The only treatment I am aware of for Hep C is a 6 month regiment of Interferon, it makes you very sick during the treatment, but does get rid of the Hep C, which is why early detection is important.” vs. “And no, once you’ve got Hep C it’s very difficult to get rid of. Impossible in some cases. It’s not like you just take 6 months of drugs and it’s gone.”

You’re acutally both right, guys, it just depends on three things:

1.) How early it’s detected (90% chance of success during the acute infection, i.e. during the first 6 months). CHRONIC HepC is indeed very difficult to get rid of, the overall cure rate is just ~50%.

2.) The HCV subtype (75+ % cured for genotype 2/3 after 24 weeks, 50% for genotype 1 after 48% weeks). In the US it’s usually type 1.

3.) And finally, yes, co-infection with HIV. While the ribavirin works as an antiviral, the interferon is used to boost the immune response but all that depends on the shape of your immune system in the first place.

AND THAT’S WHY GETTING TESTED IS SO IMPORTANT – TO CATCH IT EARLY.

Case in point: I know two friends with HepC. One is poz, almost died of AIDS a few years ago, because he didn’t start therapy soon enough. But his HepC got treated within weeks after infection and if I remember correctly, after only the 24-weeks course of medication he got rid of the hepatitis. The other one (female, ex drug-user, HIV-neg) caught it decades ago, therapy didn’t work and she’s now hoping for a liver transplant.

By: rawTOP

rawTOP — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:32:23 +0000

@Nick – No, Hep C is not usually transmitted through sex. It was possible, but rare. It’s usually due to IV drug use. That’s why this is news.

And no, once you’ve got Hep C it’s very difficult to get rid of. Impossible in some cases. It’s not like you just take 6 months of drugs and it’s gone.

By: Nick

Nick — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:35:36 +0000

The major cause of death for long term HIV positive gay men is liver failure as a result of Hep C. These patients do not qualify for liver transplants. Hep C is transmitted through unprotected anal sex and the data would suggest that there is s symbiotic relationship between being HIV + and Hep C. The only treatment I am aware of for Hep C is a 6 month regiment of Interferon, it makes you very sick during the treatment, but does get rid of the Hep C, which is why early detection is important. If behavioral changes are not made you will risk exposure and reinfection.

By: rawTOP

rawTOP — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:01:23 +0000

@Regular Guy – That’s why I’m in favor of as little meds as possible. They don’t know whether it’s the disease or the meds, but it very well could be the meds…

By: Regular Guy

Regular Guy — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:16:34 +0000

a very scary article on HIV: http://nymag.com/health/features/61740/

By: gphbk

gphbk — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:43:07 +0000

They’re not AS worried about neg guys getting infected because there is “unusually rapid fibrosis progression due to new HCV in MSM who have HIV infection”, as in, pos guys are much more at risk from the effects of HVC. It says it right in the bit you quoted…