In the last 2 years the FDA has licensed several all-oral regimens for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C #ddw15chat

People with #HepC no longer have to endure the troublesome side-effects of interferon or take injectable medication #ddw15chat

Because of the greater potency, most infected persons can be cured with an 8-12 week course of therapy #ddw15chat

oT2: New #HepC treatments can achieve viral elimination in >90% of HCV Genotypes 1-3 in patients w/ out cirrhosis #ddw15chat

oT2: New #HepC treatments can achieve viral elimination in >90% of HCV Genotypes 1-3 in patients w/ out cirrhosis #ddw15chat

T2: Response rates in patients without cirrhosis are ~5-10% higher compared to patients with cirrhosis #ddw15chat

All-oral regimens are only approved for the #HepC genotypes 1-3 #ddw15chat

From a medical standpoint, all people with chronic #HepC should be candidates for therapy with these regimens. #ddw15chat

One of the biggest challenges regarding treatment is actually identifying persons with chronic infection #ddw15chat

Getting #HepC infected subjects to care and treatment is another challenge #ddw15chat

Most patients with chronic #HepC do not have symptoms #ddw15chat

The most common symptoms of chronic #HepC patients are fatigue, lethargy and liver ache #ddw15chat

Once cirrhosis develops, patients are at risk for developing variceal bleeding, ascites, mental confusion and liver cancer #ddw15chat

@JayTalw Data suggest this will be the case for the majority. Long-term concern will be development of HCC in these pts #ddw15chat

Eradication of the virus should lead to decreased risk of hepatic decompensation, death and hepatocellular carcinoma #ddw15chat

Successful eradication of HCV should reduce long-term health care costs b/c the complications are costly to manage #ddw15chat

Eradication of HCV leads to improved quality of life & increased work productivity in Western countries #ddw15chat

Safe and very effective therapy for chronic #HepC is now available. If you have risk factors for #HepC, get tested #ddw15chat

Getting tested is the first step to getting care and treatment #DDW15Chat

T7 smoking and marijuana should be avoided #ddw15chat