Can Hepatitis C infection be treated in patients undergoing dialysis?
Dr Vijay Kher
Chairman,
Department of Nephrology and Kidney transplant Medicine,
Fortis Kidney and Urology Institute,
Fortis Escorts Hospital, New Delhi
Chairman,
Department of Nephrology and Kidney transplant Medicine,
Fortis Kidney and Urology Institute,
Fortis Escorts Hospital, New Delhi
Q: I am a 47 years old male. I have been found infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) during my dialysis. Is it curable?
A:Hepatitis C (HCV) can be treated with interferon injections weekly. One needs to do liver function tests (LFTS), HCV QUANTITATIVE PCR, and maybe a liver biopsy. The treatment will continue for at least 6 months but it could be for 12 months. The chances of success are usually 50% in dialysis patients.