Acute and Chronic

[paulalynn1965]

I have been reading and have not found the answer to the question: Do you just become chronic after so long or can you stay acute for the whole time of Hep C infection? And another question is: this viral load issue, can the vl stay low forever or will it always grow in number over the years? The folks here seem to have better, plain english answers.

[paulalynn1965]

You say the front range, are you in colorado? We use that term here. I have been doing alot of reading. I am impatient and when I decide to do something I want to do it NOW. But I have made some appt's and I just need to cool my jets. Thanks for the answers though. Y'all's great as we say in MO. Paulla

[spcecst2]

Sometimes the snow got old but I still loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would suggest that what ever medical problems you have you address them before you think about treatment!! You can start looking for trials and find out what requirements you need to meet!!!!!!!!!!!! Hope you feel better!!!!!! The front range wasn't bad all winter we still had some nice days!!!!!!!!!!

[paulalynn1965]

I am sick of the snow, but summer is coming.
So out of denial about a year ago I was retested for HCV and dang it, it is still hangin' out. I hear people say you can go and never have symptoms. When I found out I went to the ER cause I was so sick. I actually slept for days without waking up to even go to the bathroom. Finally after about 8-9 days of being bedridden, I went to the ER and the doc suspected HCV right away. So I guess I don't understand, how do you know if you should get tx? At this point, I can go a couple days with very little food, pain in my URQ, itching is not even a good word for the sensation in my skin. I mentioned elsewhere, sand paper will only fix this itch I have. Always nauseas, the reason for no appetite. Since the liver doesn't feel, I guess I don't understand the pain. Have been reading about gall bladder due to someone elses post. At times it feels more like pressure in URQ. It sort of reminds me of when I was preg and my baby would put his foot between my ribs. I even have spasams in that area. Can I get on a trial study with no doc involvement? Ok I have rambled enough. As I ask one question 10 more come to mind. Thanks all.  Paula

[spcecst2]

First let me say I luvs colorado and wish I was snow boarding right now even on treatment!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Most going from acute to chronic? YES

Acute hepatitis C refers to the first 6 months after infection with HCV. Between 60% to 70% of people infected develop no symptoms during the acute phase. In the minority of patients who experience acute phase symptoms, they are generally mild and nonspecific, and rarely lead to a specific diagnosis of hepatitis C. Symptoms of acute hepatitis C infection include decreased appetite, fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, itching, and flu-like symptoms.

Chronic hepatitis C is defined as infection with the hepatitis C virus persisting for more than six months. Clinically, it is often asymptomatic (without symptoms) and it is mostly discovered accidentally

VL is not truly understood it can be up and can be down and not indicate damage!!!! It's strange stuff!! You can live a long life with this crud, and not, who knows!! Thats why I fight!! But sum times it ain't nooooooo fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jmjm530]

For the first six months or so after being infected you are considered "acute". After then you are considered "chronic".

So, to answer your first question, no, you can't stay acute for the "whole time of the Hep C infection" UNLESS of course, you rid yourself of the virus spontaneously (without treatment) during that six month period. Spontaneous clearance of HCV during the six month window happens to around 15% of all men and 40% of all women, if I remember the latest retrospective analysis/study correctly.

As to viral load -- it can fluctuate up and down over the years. Another point is that viral load at any point in time is not related to disease severity of amount of liver damage.

-- Jim