The Best Cure for Hep C

Hepatitis C is a condition caused by the hepatitis C virus that adversely affects the liver. The American Liver Foundation's website reports that more than four million Americans are infected with hepatitis C, and that the condition causes at least 8,000 deaths each year. While no cure currently exists, some medications can help slow down the symptoms and progression of the virus.

Medications

• The most common treatments for hepatitis C use peginterferons and interferons. These drugs are often taken together. The American Liver Foundation's website states that these medicines have anywhere from a 40 to 80 percent success rate of reducing the virus, depending on how severe the infection is. Side effects may include lethargy, depression and hair loss.

A Caveat

• "Successful" treatment does not mean that you are cured, but rather that the amount of active hepatitis C virus in your body is low and is most likely not causing any bodily harm.

  As always with serious diseases, discuss all available treatment options with your physician.