Hepatitis C (HCV) is a virus that, left untreated, can lead to liver inflammation and scarring, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. However, medical science has advanced in the treatment of this virus, so today, there is a cure for HCV–antiviral medications. These medicines can cure more than 95% of Hepatitis C infections inside the human body. And we, Equality Health, are here to give you quality and accessible Hepatitis C treatment in Edmond, OK.
Fundamental Principles of Hepatitis C Treatment in Edmond, OK
Equality Health treats Hepatitis C with one main goal: ‘Sustained Virologic Response‘ (SVR), or in other words cured of HCV.
Achieving SVR means the virus is no longer detectable in the blood. We treat our patients with utter care to fully eradicate the virus and ensure that our patient has ultimately reached a “cure“.
Our standard treatment for Hepatitis C is Direct-Acting Antiviral (DAA) Medications. DAA medications are one of the industry-standard treatments for the virus with a high success rate and minimal side effects. With these medications, we target specific enzymes that the Hepatitis C virus needs to replicate.
For us, each patient is different, and so is their Hep C treatment journey. We tailor the best treatment for Hepatitis C per your needs and circumstances to ensure optimal outcomes and long-term liver health.
Discover our comprehensive Hepatitis C treatment solutions, and embark on the treatment journey.
Initial Evaluation, Regular Monitoring, and Adjustments
Equality Health helps patients rediscover health and vitality with the best Hep C medications. We follow all aspects of Hepatitis C medication guidelines to cater to all types of patients from diagnosis to Hep C recovery.
- Medical Evaluation: We evaluate your condition in detail. We will review your medical history, liver function tests, and viral load testing for Hepatitis C. Based on this assessment, we will design a treatment plan that is specific to your needs.
- Close monitoring: We will always monitor your progress through follow-up visits and lab tests as you go fort with using the medication that cures Hep C. With this process, we evaluate the effectiveness of your treatment plan and identify any issues that require our further attention.
Antiviral Medications for Hepatitis C in Edmond, OK
At Equality Health, we use only the most improved, latest, and best Hep C treatment medications that, by default, target HCV, i.e., DAA medications.
Protease Inhibitors or Antiretrovirals
We use protease inhibitors to stop the HCV from replicating in the liver. These medications block the action of a crucial enzyme called protease.
Polymerase Inhibitors
These medications target HCV’s RNA polymerase enzyme by disrupting the virus’s replication ability.
NS5A Inhibitors
With the help of NS5A inhibitors, we strive to affect the process of virus assembly and prevent Hepatitis C from multiplying.
Treatment of HCV requires a combination of DAAs. Overall, the Hep C treatment side effects of these DAA mediations are generally mild. These medications can rapidly decrease the viral load of HCV, however, you must complete the full treatment to ensure a better likelihood of cure. The best way to maximize the effectiveness of the medicine and minimize its possible side effects is to follow your prescribed medication schedule.
Response Rates and Treatment Duration for Hepatitis C Treatment
Our HCV treatment duration depends on the specific genotype and patient characteristics. The Hepatitis C treatment success rate may depend on the individual. The treatment for HCV usually takes 8-12 weeks. Some patients with more damage to the liver require 16-24 weeks of treatment. However, this case is very rare.
Hepatitis C treatment regimens have a 95% or higher cure rate. Our treatment destroys the ability of the virus to reproduce and reduces the viral load to undetectable levels achieving Sustained Virologic Response (SVR), or cure. By the 12th week, after you have finished the treatment, we declare that a patient has achieved SVR, which denotes that the treatment was successful and you are free from the virus. So, we believe in attaining SVR to cure you long-term.
Adherence and Supportive Care: Our Successful Treatment Plan
When anyone asks us the secret to effectively treating HCV, we say it’s the patient’s medication adherence.
If you want to beat this virus properly, then you can use these strategies–
- Use pill reminders to keep track of your medication routine.
- Tell your friends and family what’s happening. As needed, our staff can also lend a listening ear and provide encouragement and guidance.
- Learn more about Hepatitis C and read about your medications and their special risks and warnings.
Our Hepatitis C treatment providers follow a holistic healing approach.
- Mental Health Support: Our specialists work closely with patients to address anxiety, depression, or other emotional challenges that can develop during HCV treatment.
- Counseling: We offer referrals for individual and group counseling sessions to provide coping strategies for your HCV journey.
- Nutritional Guidance: We can guide you on meal plans and better food choices to maintain a liver-friendly diet.
Remember us if you are seeking chronic Hepatitis C treatment or if you believe you have HCV. We also have Hepatitis C testing in Edmond to give you an accurate result of whether your body has the virus.
Hepatitis C Treatment Medications in Edmond: Side Effects & Coping Strategies
Hepatitis C treatment side effects are a few mild or zero. However, you may get side effects such as:
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Insomnia (Sleeplessness)
If any of our patients face these kinds of side effects, we always ask them to speak openly with us so that we can help.
The most common mistake that our patients make is–not particularly following the instructions of their medicine. So it’s very important for you to:
- Take medicine every day
- Take medicine exactly as prescribed (focus on timings with food or other medication if necessary)
- Do not skip doses
- Come to visit us (as recommended)
- Get your blood tests done (on time!)
- Complete the entire course of medication
We provide counseling services and hand you a list of instructions to follow if you face any treatment-related side effects. If you do have side effects, let us know and we can help come up with a plan to help make them more manageable.
Best Hepatitis C Treatment in Edmond: Outcomes and Follow-ups
Our center for Hep C treatment in Edmond offers periodic follow-up visits to monitor your liver health long-term and treat any complications that may arise. As a follow-up to treatment, we do the following:
- Assess the treatment effectiveness and see your HCV ‘cured‘ status
- Check for any signs of liver damage or other health issues
- Provide health care guidance to maintain a healthy lifestyle
With our ongoing care and surveillance, we have helped many patients maintain or even improve their liver health in Edmond, OK.
We do our part diligently during any treatment but will need you to do your part as well by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and keeping your regular clinic visits for close follow-up on your liver health and overall well-being.
Ongoing Research & Advancements in HCV Treatment
At Equality Health, we always stay informed about the ongoing research and advancements in any treatment we do. We stay up to date on the latest available treatments for HCV and the research being done to continue to improve cure rates for HCV.
Since Hepatitis C has many strains/genotypes & sub-genotypes, finding a vaccine is still a dream, but we are rooting for the ongoing study of vaccines for Hepatitis C.
Join the Equality Health community for Hepatitis C treatment in Edmond, OK. We also provide other services including testing for HIV, HIV treatment, PrEP for HIV prevention, STD testing, and STD treatments in Edmond, OK. Take the life-changing step towards a healthier future by requesting a consultation today with the best Hep C doctors for your treatment in Edmond, OK.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, Hepatitis C can be cured. With the right diagnosis and treatment facilities like pan-genotypic direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), 95% of persons with Hep C can be cured. The DAA treatment usually lasts 8 to 12 weeks and can bring the viral load in your blood to undetectable levels, which helps to achieve sustained virologic response (SVR). Within six months of acute HCV (Hepatitis C virus) infection, 30% (15–45%) of infected individuals spontaneously clear the virus without receiving any treatment. They do not progress to a life-threatening condition and are typically asymptomatic.
The best place to go for a Hepatitis C test in Oklahoma is Equality Health. We offer thorough Hepatitis C testing, which is followed by counseling and treatment options. Our medical professionals possess years of experience and high levels of skill. Results from hepatitis C tests at Equality Health are entirely reliable. Virus nucleic acid and antibody tests are available to determine if you have ever been exposed to or have Hepatitis C.
Yes, the treatment for Hep C is covered by insurance like Medicaid and Medicare as well as commercial insurance. We at Equality Health have partnered with a number of insurance companies and networks. However, the specifics of your insurance plan determine whether you are covered or not. Patients can then utilize their insurance to get prescription drugs and have doctor visits covered.
The treatment plan for Hep C involves a thorough diagnosis, tests (antibody and nucleic acid), and the use of direct-acting antiviral medication (NS3/4A protease inhibitors, NS5A polymerase inhibitors, and NS5B polymerase inhibitors). The main goal of the Hep C treatment is:
- Remove (or clear) the entire hepatitis C virus from your body to prevent or slow down liver damage
- Decrease the likelihood of developing hepatocellular carcinoma
- Reduce the chance of getting cirrhosis (advanced liver scarring)
- The need for a liver transplant and the risk of liver failure are diminished
The success rate of the treatment is over 90%, and the meds are highly effective in clearing the infection.
Once you start the treatment, you should take the direct-acting antiviral medications as prescribed. These medications will help to cure the HCV infection. Depending on whether cirrhosis is present or not, the duration of the treatment typically lasts from 8 to 12 weeks. These medications have fewer side effects, shorter treatment times, and better outcomes.
The success rate of Hep C treatment is 95%. If the infection is in the early stage, then about 30% of the infected people clear the virus within six months (without any treatment). However, the remaining 70% will have chronic infections and have to undergo direct-acting antiviral medicines (DAA) treatments to eliminate the virus. These drugs are the safest and most efficient drugs for treating hepatitis C.
