Q&A for How to Recognize Hepatitis C Symptoms

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  • Question
    Can hepatitis C be cured?
    Raj Vuppalanchi, MD
    Raj Vuppalanchi, MD
    Academic Hepatologist
    Dr. Raj Vuppalanchi is an Academic Hepatologist, a Professor of Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine, and the Director of Clinical Hepatology at IU Health. With over ten years of experience, Dr. Vuppalanchi runs a clinical practice and provides care to patients with various liver disorders at the University Hospital in Indianapolis. He completed dual fellowships in Clinical Pharmacology and Gastroenterology-Hepatology at Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Raj Vuppalanchi is board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is a member of the American Association for Study of Liver Diseases and the American College of Gastroenterology. His patient-oriented research is dedicated to finding new treatments for various liver disorders as well as the use of diagnostic tests for non-invasive estimation of liver fibrosis (transient elastography) and portal hypertension (spleen stiffness).
    Raj Vuppalanchi, MD
    Academic Hepatologist
    Expert Answer
    Yes, you can cure hepatitis C completely with a short antiviral treatment.
  • Question
    Can Hep C be cured completely?
    Raj Vuppalanchi, MD
    Raj Vuppalanchi, MD
    Academic Hepatologist
    Dr. Raj Vuppalanchi is an Academic Hepatologist, a Professor of Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine, and the Director of Clinical Hepatology at IU Health. With over ten years of experience, Dr. Vuppalanchi runs a clinical practice and provides care to patients with various liver disorders at the University Hospital in Indianapolis. He completed dual fellowships in Clinical Pharmacology and Gastroenterology-Hepatology at Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Raj Vuppalanchi is board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is a member of the American Association for Study of Liver Diseases and the American College of Gastroenterology. His patient-oriented research is dedicated to finding new treatments for various liver disorders as well as the use of diagnostic tests for non-invasive estimation of liver fibrosis (transient elastography) and portal hypertension (spleen stiffness).
    Raj Vuppalanchi, MD
    Academic Hepatologist
    Expert Answer
    Yes. Luckily, medications for Hepatitis C are now available and have a very high cure rate. I suggest you talk to your doctor about which medication will be best for you.
  • Question
    How does Hep C make you feel?
    Raj Vuppalanchi, MD
    Raj Vuppalanchi, MD
    Academic Hepatologist
    Dr. Raj Vuppalanchi is an Academic Hepatologist, a Professor of Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine, and the Director of Clinical Hepatology at IU Health. With over ten years of experience, Dr. Vuppalanchi runs a clinical practice and provides care to patients with various liver disorders at the University Hospital in Indianapolis. He completed dual fellowships in Clinical Pharmacology and Gastroenterology-Hepatology at Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Raj Vuppalanchi is board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is a member of the American Association for Study of Liver Diseases and the American College of Gastroenterology. His patient-oriented research is dedicated to finding new treatments for various liver disorders as well as the use of diagnostic tests for non-invasive estimation of liver fibrosis (transient elastography) and portal hypertension (spleen stiffness).
    Raj Vuppalanchi, MD
    Academic Hepatologist
    Expert Answer
    Most people with Hepatitis C don't actually have symptoms. However, if you have had the disease for some time you may experience symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, and cirrhosis of the liver.
  • Question
    Can you get hep C from a needle stick?
    Raj Vuppalanchi, MD
    Raj Vuppalanchi, MD
    Academic Hepatologist
    Dr. Raj Vuppalanchi is an Academic Hepatologist, a Professor of Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine, and the Director of Clinical Hepatology at IU Health. With over ten years of experience, Dr. Vuppalanchi runs a clinical practice and provides care to patients with various liver disorders at the University Hospital in Indianapolis. He completed dual fellowships in Clinical Pharmacology and Gastroenterology-Hepatology at Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Raj Vuppalanchi is board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is a member of the American Association for Study of Liver Diseases and the American College of Gastroenterology. His patient-oriented research is dedicated to finding new treatments for various liver disorders as well as the use of diagnostic tests for non-invasive estimation of liver fibrosis (transient elastography) and portal hypertension (spleen stiffness).
    Raj Vuppalanchi, MD
    Academic Hepatologist
    Expert Answer
    Yes. Hepatitis C is very easily spread through needles and drug paraphernalia, which is why it's important to avoid sharing these items.
  • Question
    What is the main cause of hep C?
    Raj Vuppalanchi, MD
    Raj Vuppalanchi, MD
    Academic Hepatologist
    Dr. Raj Vuppalanchi is an Academic Hepatologist, a Professor of Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine, and the Director of Clinical Hepatology at IU Health. With over ten years of experience, Dr. Vuppalanchi runs a clinical practice and provides care to patients with various liver disorders at the University Hospital in Indianapolis. He completed dual fellowships in Clinical Pharmacology and Gastroenterology-Hepatology at Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Raj Vuppalanchi is board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is a member of the American Association for Study of Liver Diseases and the American College of Gastroenterology. His patient-oriented research is dedicated to finding new treatments for various liver disorders as well as the use of diagnostic tests for non-invasive estimation of liver fibrosis (transient elastography) and portal hypertension (spleen stiffness).
    Raj Vuppalanchi, MD
    Academic Hepatologist
    Expert Answer
    Hepatitis C is most commonly spread through blood to blood contamination, which is why it's so important to avoid sharing needles and other drug paraphernalia.
  • Question
    Is there a treatment for hep C?
    Raj Vuppalanchi, MD
    Raj Vuppalanchi, MD
    Academic Hepatologist
    Dr. Raj Vuppalanchi is an Academic Hepatologist, a Professor of Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine, and the Director of Clinical Hepatology at IU Health. With over ten years of experience, Dr. Vuppalanchi runs a clinical practice and provides care to patients with various liver disorders at the University Hospital in Indianapolis. He completed dual fellowships in Clinical Pharmacology and Gastroenterology-Hepatology at Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Raj Vuppalanchi is board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is a member of the American Association for Study of Liver Diseases and the American College of Gastroenterology. His patient-oriented research is dedicated to finding new treatments for various liver disorders as well as the use of diagnostic tests for non-invasive estimation of liver fibrosis (transient elastography) and portal hypertension (spleen stiffness).
    Raj Vuppalanchi, MD
    Academic Hepatologist
    Expert Answer
    Yes, highly effective medications exist for treating hepatitis C. If you have hepatitis C, I suggest you talk to a doctor about which medication will be best for you.
  • Question
    Can hep C go undetected?
    Raj Vuppalanchi, MD
    Raj Vuppalanchi, MD
    Academic Hepatologist
    Dr. Raj Vuppalanchi is an Academic Hepatologist, a Professor of Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine, and the Director of Clinical Hepatology at IU Health. With over ten years of experience, Dr. Vuppalanchi runs a clinical practice and provides care to patients with various liver disorders at the University Hospital in Indianapolis. He completed dual fellowships in Clinical Pharmacology and Gastroenterology-Hepatology at Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Raj Vuppalanchi is board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is a member of the American Association for Study of Liver Diseases and the American College of Gastroenterology. His patient-oriented research is dedicated to finding new treatments for various liver disorders as well as the use of diagnostic tests for non-invasive estimation of liver fibrosis (transient elastography) and portal hypertension (spleen stiffness).
    Raj Vuppalanchi, MD
    Academic Hepatologist
    Expert Answer
    Yes, you may be asymptomatic and not show any symptoms for a long time. If you suspect you've been exposed to hepatitis C, I suggest you get tested.
  • Question
    What is the best liver cleanse?
    Raj Vuppalanchi, MD
    Raj Vuppalanchi, MD
    Academic Hepatologist
    Dr. Raj Vuppalanchi is an Academic Hepatologist, a Professor of Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine, and the Director of Clinical Hepatology at IU Health. With over ten years of experience, Dr. Vuppalanchi runs a clinical practice and provides care to patients with various liver disorders at the University Hospital in Indianapolis. He completed dual fellowships in Clinical Pharmacology and Gastroenterology-Hepatology at Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Raj Vuppalanchi is board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is a member of the American Association for Study of Liver Diseases and the American College of Gastroenterology. His patient-oriented research is dedicated to finding new treatments for various liver disorders as well as the use of diagnostic tests for non-invasive estimation of liver fibrosis (transient elastography) and portal hypertension (spleen stiffness).
    Raj Vuppalanchi, MD
    Academic Hepatologist
    Expert Answer
    Unfortunately, there isn't a way to cleanse the liver. However, there are many things you can do to improve the health of your liver, like reducing your intake of high-fructose corn syrup, carbohydrates, refined flours, and juice.
  • Question
    I have chronic hep c and I'm constantly in pain. I can take Tylenol and ibuprofen all day and it doesn't help at all. I live in a medical marijuana state — would this be an option?
    Chris M. Matsko, MD
    Chris M. Matsko, MD
    Family Medicine Physician
    Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.
    Chris M. Matsko, MD
    Family Medicine Physician
    Expert Answer
    Yes, if you are having chronic pain then medical marijuana is an option, but I would try all available avenues first. Talk with you doctor about your pain, and they may be able to prescribe a narcotic for the pain instead of Tylenol or Motrin.
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