The goal of hepatitis C treatment is to achieve a sustained virological response (SVR). This is defined as a negative or undetectable HCV RNA test result six months after the end of treatment. A sustained virological response means the body has cleared the virus—the person will always be antibody positive but will not have any active virus in his or her body. Some doctors consider this to be a cure. However, there is no immunity against HCV and people can be re-infected.
Other goals of therapy are to:
- minimize liver damage and prevent progression to end-stage liver disease
- improve the person’s quality of life
- prevent the spread of HCV to other people by reducing the pool of infection
All patients, no matter what the state of their liver disease, should be evaluated for treatment, which is currently a combination therapy of two medications—peg-interferon and ribavirin.
Ontario Hepatitis Nursing Program (OHNP)
Given the complexity of hepatitis C treatment, nurses specializing in monitoring treatment have been an important part of the response to the disease.
Currently in Canada, the specialized nurses are funded primarily through the pharmaceutical companies that manufacture hepatitis C treatment drugs. To supplement this vital nursing service, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Hepatitis C Secretariat has launched the Ontario Hepatitis Nursing Program. The goal of the program is to increase access to treatment in areas with high HCV prevalence.
