IMPORTANT ADAP UPDATE
Expanded Access to Hepatitis C Virus Medications - Effective July 1, 2015, ADAP expanded access to hepatitis C virus (HCV) medications to include all HCV co-infected ADAP clients regardless of liver disease stage. This policy is in alignment with the federal Health and Human Services guidelines for the treating HCV coinfection among HIV-infected persons and the revised Deptartment of Verteran Affairs' HCV clinical guidelines, which recommend that all HIV/HCV co-infected patients be treated. Medi-cal also expanded access to all HIV/HCV co-infected beneficiaries, regardless of liver disease stage.
HEPATITIS (HCV) A, B C, D and E
Hepatitis C is an infectious disease affecting primarily the liver, caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The infection is often asymptomatic, but chronic infection can lead to scarring of the liver and ultimately to cirrhosis, which is generally apparent after many years. In some cases, those with cirrhosis will go on to develop liver failure, liver cancer, or life-threatening esophageal and gastric varices.
HCV is spread primarily by blood-to-blood contact associated with intravenous drug use, poorly sterilized medical equipment, and transfusions. An estimated 150–200 million people worldwide are infected with hepatitis C. The existence of hepatitis C (originally identifiable only as a type of non-A non-B hepatitis) was suggested in the 1970s and proven in 1989.[5] Hepatitis C infects only humans and chimpanzees. It is one of five known hepatitis viruses: A, B, C, D, and E.
The virus persists in the liver in about 85% of those infected. This chronic infection can be treated with medication: the standard therapy is a combination of peginterferon and ribavirin, with either boceprevir or telaprevir added in some cases. Overall, 50–80% of people treated are cured. Those who develop cirrhosis or liver cancer may require a liver transplant. Hepatitis C is the leading reason for liver transplantation, though the virus usually recurs after transplantation. No vaccine against hepatitis C is available.
To find out more about Hepatitis A, B C, D and E, CLICK HERE
HIV Is No Major Barrier to Hep C Treatment Success
Recent trials of the latest hepatitis C virus (HCV) medications have brought more good news for people coinfected with HCV and HIV, showing hep C cure rates comparably high to those seen in studies including people who only have HCV. In one study, Gilead Sciences’ Harvoni (ledipasvir/sofosbuvir) cured hep C in 96 percent of 335 coinfected participants, of whom 98 percent had genotype 1 of HCV and 2 percent had genotype 4. In another trial, AbbVie’s Viekira Pak (ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir; dasabuvir) cured 92 percent of 63 people coinfected with genotype 1. READ FULL STORY