Hepatitis C genotype 3a

[maomer]

Dear Doc.

2 weeks before i came to know that i am suffering from hepatitis c genotype 3a. i would like to ask from your forum that what is genotype 3a? How a person is get infected by this type? is it dangerous?

[mar148]

I want to make sure that you know that type 3 is the second most treatable type of hep c.  I am type 3 and am treating for 24 weeks, some individuals need to treat for 48 depending on factors such as race, weight, health of liver....  The doctor will also look at how you react to treatment and if it is effective to confirm how long, should you decide to treat.  Successful treatment rates are between 70 and 80 percent so you are more fortunate that many people in the us who have types that are tougher to treat.  I would be positive.

Depending on the health of your liver you can decide to wait or treat.  I am in my final 2 weeks of treatment.  It has not been easy but not half as hard as I had expected and some people have a harder time.  

I would get a great liver doctor at this point.  I don't know how I got this disease and have been very selective on who I told due to alot of misunderstanding about this disease.  Some of us know others do not.

Anyway, this is a good support group and there is alot of information that will help you feel more in control of your disease and get a handle on things.

[Mary4now]

Oh we are not Docs here just people infected w/ the virus trying to support each other with the best information we have.  Good Luck  M4now

[Mary4now]

Actually from my understanding Hepatitis is not a death sentence, 80% of people with Hepatitis C die w/ the disease not from it.  The genotype helps your doctor understand the course of treatment and what the statistics for clearing are.  I think genotype 3 is a little harder to treat genotype 2 being the easiest and 1, 3, and 4 more difficult although you have a 50% chance of clearing, and the good thing is that the tx. will give the liver a break to regenerate itself.  You need to find out what if any damage there is to the liver, that is important, then you can decide on course of treatment. Thats as much as I know as this is what my very from the book and proven studies medical provider has instructed me on.  All Hep C is transmitted from blood to blood, IV needles, blood transfusions, tatoos, dental work,, its hard to tell unless you really know how you got it, but it must be blood to blood contact as far as I know.  The danger is the damage to the liver,  as the virus has a particular affinity to the liver, and your liver is extremely important.  You must not drink alcohol as this can progress the virus, and damage the liver more.. I would say stop drinking, I dont touch a drop.... its not worth it.   M

[Bill1954]

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis.

You need to understand that we are not doctors here- only patients that are dealing with Hepatitis C as you are.

Hepatitis C is transmitted by blood-to-blood contact, and in some cases can be fatal, but not always.

For general information, see the folowing site, and click on a topic of interest in the blue box:

http://janis7hepc.com/

Good luck to you,

Bill