Interferon therapy, Hepatitis C, and 21st Century Medicine

This will be my fourth week of Interferon therapy for hepatitis C. The therapy consists of  48 weeks of a drug regimen of Ribavirin and Interferon Alfa-2. Ribavirin is an oral medication that inhibits the replication of new hepatitis C viruses. The dosage for Ribavirin is 3 capsules twice daily. Interferon is immunoprotein that naturally occurs in the human body. The dosage for Interferon Alfa-2 is self-injectable vial containing 150 mcg Interferon Alfa-2 in a 0.5ml solution. When you catch the cold or flu your body manufactures interferon to help your white blood cells identify and kill the invading cold or flu virus. The problem with hepatitis c virus is that attacks the liver cells which helps it remain invisible to the immune system. The interferon that is administered as part of the hepatitis c therapy has been genetically modified so that it uncloaks the attacking hepatitis C in the body enabling the immune system to go after and destroy the virus.

I have experienced some side effects since I have begun the therapy. I have experienced flu-like symptoms with chills and fever, sensitivity to noise and light. episodes of panic and fear, and the overall lack of appetite and energy.

Since the hepatitis C virus cannot live long outside the human body it can only be spread by direct blood-to-blood contact .

Additional information regarding Hepatitis C can be found at Understanding Hepatitis C Interferon Therapy.

This entry was posted on July 4, 2008 at 3:52 pm and is filed under Hepatitis C. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.