Hepatitis C - Hypothesis and Discussion

Hepatitis C Hypothesis
Most people can live a lifetime infected with hepatitis C and will end up dying with the virus rather than from complications of the virus (liver disease).

If people infected with hepatitis C make lifestyle changes and regularly take herbs and supplements (natural medicine), then it is possible to reduce the chance of serious liver disease over 30-50 years to approximately 5%-20% from 15%-40%.

Chronic hepatitis C can be managed as a chronic disease.

Discussion
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a serious bloodborne chronic disease that damages liver cells and can lead to severe liver diseases such as cirrhosis (scaring of the liver), liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) or liver failure (requiring liver transplant).

Perhaps 75% of people with hepatitis C do not know they have the virus. Of those who do know, only 25% may get treatment with pharmaceutical drugs. Of those who begin treatment, 20% may drop out and 50% will not respond with sustained viral response (measured as no virus in the blood 6 months after treatment).

There is a need to address the majority of people chronically infected with hepatitis C. This includes those who failed or refused current pharmaceutical drug treatment for whatever reasons – such as financial, mental (depression/mental illness), behavioral (alcohol/drug use) or access.

The majority of people with hepatitis C will not die from the infection
• The majority of people (60% to 85%) with chronic HCV will have no advanced liver disease (including cirrhosis) during their lifetime. Various studies estimate:
- 20% may develop cirrhosis after 20 to 30 years of infection (range 5% to 25%)
- 30% may develop cirrhosis after 30 to 50 years of infection (range 15% to 40%)

• The majority of people with hepatitis C will not die from the HCV infection. Seven of every 10 deaths in the U.S. are caused by chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes. [CDC, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. 2009]

Chronic hepatitis C can be managed as a chronic disease
• According to the CDC, a chronic disease is a non-communicable illness that is prolonged in duration, does not resolve spontaneously, and is rarely cured completely. Examples of chronic diseases include heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, and arthritis. Chronic disease has replaced infectious and acute illnesses as the leading cause of death.
• Hepatitis C is considered a bloodborne infectious disease along with HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B.
• The majority of people with hepatitis C have not and probably will not be treated with pharmaceutical drugs.
• Chronic hepatitis C infection can last a lifetime with no visible symptoms. For treatment purposes, it can be considered a chronic disease and like other chronic disease it can be managed over time.
- This statement is in contrast to current standard medical opinion that says hepatitis C virus must be cured and not managed.
• If people infected with hepatitis C make lifestyle changes and regularly take herbs and supplements, then it is possible to reduce the chance of serious liver disease.

Most statistical estimates regarding hepatitis C are false for most individuals
Individual statistical estimates should be adjusted for age, sex and lifestyle (alcohol and tobacco use, nutrition, exercise, stress management, etc.).

Steven Maimes