Hepatitis C is an infectious disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) that primarily affects the liver. During the initial infection people often have mild or no symptoms. Occasionally a fever, dark urine, abdominal pain, and yellow tinged skin occurs. The virus persists in the liver in about 75% to 85% of those initially infected. Early on chronic infection typically has no symptoms. Over many years however, it often leads to liver disease and occasionally cirrhosis. In some cases, those with cirrhosis will develop complications such as liver failure, liver cancer, or esophageal and gastric varices.
HCV is spread primarily by blood-to-blood contact associated with intravenous drug use, poorly sterilized medical equipment, needlestick injuries in healthcare, and transfusions. With blood screening the risk from a transfusion is less than one per two million. It may also be spread from an infected mother to her baby during birth. It is not spread by superficial contact. It is one of five known hepatitis viruses: A, B, C, D, and E. Diagnosis is by blood testing to look for either antibodies to the virus or its RNA. Testing is recommended in all people who are at risk.
There is no vaccine against hepatitis C. Prevention includes harm reduction efforts among people who use intravenous drugs and testing donated blood. Chronic infection can be cured about 90% of the time with treatments that include the medications sofosbuvir or simeprevir. Previous to this a combination of peginterferon and ribavirin was used which had a cure rate around 50% and greater side effects. Getting access to the newer treatments however can be expensive. Those who develop cirrhosis or liver cancer may require a liver transplant. Hepatitis C is the leading reason for liver transplantation, though the virus usually recurs after transplantation.
Latest Treatment of Hepatitis C
As a major breakthrough in the field of medicine has resulted in the development of two medicines to cure Hepatitis C – Sovaldi and Harvoni have been approved by the FDA of India in 2014 and are available now in India. Both these medicines have a very high success rate touching almost 90-100% in some cases. The generic version of Sovaldi medicine is now available in the country and that of Harvoni will follow soon. The generic versions are almost 99% cheaper than the branded ones.
Hepatitis C is a chronic disease of the liver caused by the Hepatitis C virus. It is a disease without boundaries. WHO estimates that around 130 million people are affected by the deadly virus across the globe and around 500 000 people are killed by the disease every year. The virus can gain entry in to the body through transfusion of infected and unscreened blood or use of improperly sterilized surgical instruments and syringes. The disease can be short term or long term. Once inside the body the virus may be expelled out within 6 months in around 15% of the people or remain there for life in rest of the 85% of the patients. The patients generally present with jaundice, yellow urine, bone and muscle pain, belly pain, itchy skin and fatigue. Most people develop liver cirrhosis or cancer eventually which can be fatal.
The recent breakthrough has come as a boon for many patients in India and around the world. The latest cure for Hepatitis C is available at HealthTripToIndia affiliated Hospitals.
The treatment of hepatitis C has been evolving over the last 20 years. A weekly injection of Pegylated interferon and Tab Ribavarin has been the standard of care till 2014. Pegylated interferon is associated with a number of side effects, starting from flu like symptoms to bone marrow depression. A new drug was launched in 2014 in the united states by the name of Sofosbuvir (Trade name Sovaldi). This is among the most expensive drugs in the world, a 3 month treatment is likely to cost $ 84,000. It has much better efficacy and can be given either as a 2 drug combination with Ribavarin or a three drug combination of Peginterferon, Ribavarin and Sofosbuvir.
In India latest treatment options are made available to its patients at one tenth of the cost of treatment available in the USA. There are different treatment packages depending on the severity of the disease. The newer drugs have lesser side effects as compared to interferons which is a major advantage.
Available Option's for Hepatitis C (HCV) Treatment at Super Speciality Hospitals in India
Option 1 - On OPD basis.
For Hepatitis C patients:
Mandatory tests to be done at Super Speciality Hospitals on OPD basis.
1. Blood Tests includes:
- CBC (complete blood count)
- LFT (liver function test)
- RFT (renal function test)
- PT/INR
- Lipid Profile (optional)
- HBA1c (optional)
- Alpha Fetoprotein, AFP Alpha Feto Protein, Serum
- Fibroscan
- Ultrasonic testing for liver
- Triphasic CT scan of liver (optional)
- UGI Endoscopy for varices
Approximate cost for all above package would be: 1000 USD
**Please note HCV RNA (QUANTITATIVE) and Genotyping for HCV, EDTA (L) tests reports will take atleast 7-10 days so we request you to kindly get these test done in your home country and carry the original reports with you.
* The cost of medicines will be additional.
Option 2 – On IPD basis (Admission in the Hospital)
For Hepatitis C patients:
Mandatory tests to be done at Super Speciality Hospitals on OPD basis.
1. Blood Tests includes:
- CBC (complete blood count)
- LFT (liver function test)
- RFT (renal function test)
- PT/INR
- Lipid Profile (optional)
- HBA1c (optional)
- Alpha Fetoprotein, AFP Alpha Feto Protein, Serum
- Fibroscan
- Ultrasonic testing for liver
- Triphasic CT scan of liver (optional)
- UGI Endoscopy for varices
2. One night admission in hospital
3. Doctor consultation/visits
4. Meals to be provided in the room
5. Complimentary airport pickup/drop from the hospital.
Approximate cost for all above package would be: Single room: 1500 USD
**Please note HCV RNA (QUANTITATIVE) and Genotyping for HCV, EDTA (L) tests reports will take atleast 7-10 days so we request you to kindly get these test done in your home country and carry the original reports with you.
* The cost of medicines will be additional.
Post Query
Refer a Patient
Request a Call Back
