Individuals with Hepatitis C should be vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B if they have not yet been exposed to these viruses.

It is well known that alcohol makes HCV associated liver disease progress faster, and makes interferon treatment less effective.

Hepatitis C co-infection with HIV

Approximately 40% of U.S. patients infected with HIV are also infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), mainly because both viruses share the same routes of transmission. HCV is one of most important causes of chronic liver disease in the U.S. It has been demonstrated in clinical studies that HIV infection causes a more rapid progression of chronic hepatitis C to cirrhosis and liver failure in HIV-infected persons. This is not to say treatment is not an option for those living with co-infection. The APRICOT international trial indicated that a svr (sustained viral response) was high in those with the genotype 2 & 3. Less favorable results where associated with genotype 1, however it became evident that should treatment with pegylated ribivirin-interferon not return a 2 log viral reduction after 12 weeks the chance of treatment sucess is less than 1%.

Alternative and experimental therapies

Several "alternative therapies" purport to reduce the liver's duties, rather than treat the virus itself, thereby slowing the course of the disease or keeping the quality of life of the person. As an example, extract of silybum marianum and licorice are sold for their HCV related effects; the first is said to provide some generic help to hepatic functions, and the second to have a mild antiviral effect and to raise blood pressure.

It is always important to tell your doctors all medications you are currently taking as well as herbal ones. If you are a post transplant patient it is even more important to notify your doctor of these herbal medications because silybum marianum (aka silymarin or Milk thistle) may inhibit the metabolism of certain drugs[1].

There are new drugs under development like the protease inhibitor NM 283,BILN 2061 or VX 950 that are looking promising but are all in early phase of development[2] [3]. Unfortunately, the BILN 2061 had to be discontinued due to safety problems early in the clinical testing. Some more modern new drugs that provide some support in treating HCV are Albuferon, Zadaxin, and DAPY.

All of these are not approved remedies and have not yet demonstrated their efficacy in clinical trials.

Immunoglobulins against the Hepatis C virus exist and newer types are under development. Thus far, their roles have been unclear as they have not been shown to help in clearing chronic infection or in the prevention of infection with acute exposures (ie. needlesticks). They do have a limited role in transplant patients.