What can the doctor recommend to help people with hepatitis C?
A referral for consultation with a specialist for further evaluation and possible treatment may be considered if a person tests positive for the antibody and has elevated liver enzyme levels. Any physician who manages a person with hepatitis C should be knowledgeable and current on all aspects of the care of a person with hepatitis C. Antiviral drugs such as interferon used alone or in combination with ribavirin, are approved for the treatment of persons with chronic hepatitis C. Interferon works in 10 to 20 persons out of 100 treated. Interferon combined with ribavirin works (on the viral strain that is mostly found in the U.S.) in about 30-40 persons out of 100. Ribavirin, when used alone, does not seem to work. Liver transplant. Some people whose hepatitis C progresses to liver failure may be candidates for liver transplant.
