Costs & Treatment of Hepatitis C

Hepatis C is a virus-induced condition that affects the liver, causing infection and inflammation. Generally, hepatitis C does not produce symptoms early on and is only diagnosed after liver damage has become visible. There are various treatments for hepatitis C, and most are costly due to the nature of the condition.

Medication

• Since hepatitis C is caused by a virus, antiviral medication, such as ribavarin, is used as a treatment. This medication is taken for several weeks. Thereafter, a patient's blood is tested to evaluate the effectiveness. Also, interferon, a protein that helps remove hepatitis C from the blood, may be prescribed. It is self-administered through an injection and is taken in combination with antiviral drugs.

Transplant

• If a patient's liver is severely damaged, surgically implanting a new liver is the only option. Hepatitis can recur, even after a patient receives a transplant. Accordingly, a patient must continue to take antiviral medication after surgery.

Exceptions

• Treatment is not necessary in all cases. Some patients do not have extensive liver damage and regular health screenings are sufficient to keep the condition stabilized.

Cost

• The cost of treatment for Hepatitis C is determined by the severity of the condition, as well as a patient's commitment to treatment. According to Epidemic, a website that discusses issues surrounding hepatitis C, the cost of a liver transplant averages around $280,000, for one year. Also, they estimate the lifetime cost, for a patient without a transplant, to be about $100,000.