Treatment of Hepatitis B and C
The author describes the course of infection with hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), and gives the new definition of chronic HBV and HCV infections and histologic classification of chronic hepatitis. The diagnosis of these two infections is based on serologic findings obtained by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and on the identification of genotype in hepatitis C. The new treatment regimen in patients with acute and chronic HBV and HCV infections is presented, both from the theoretical point of view and on the basis of the results of numerous studies of the effectiveness of monotherapy with interferon-alpha, and of a combination drug therapy. The author describes side-effects of this medication, and presents treatment of chronic hepatitis C by a combined use of interferon-alpha and ribavirin.