When Is it Indicated for Hepatitis C?

Patients with elevated liver enzymes for six or more months and who have a detectable antibody (ELISA test) to hepatitis C (anti-HCV) are eligible for therapy. Patients who have a risk factor for hepatitis C (blood transfusion before 1992, needle-stick exposure or illegal intravenous drug use) need not have the hepatitis C result confirmed by additional testing.

However, patients without a risk factor should have a second test (RIBA test). Liver biopsy is helpful in the diagnosis of viral hepatitis, assessing liver damage prior to treatment, and at the end of therapy to evaluate the response.

Patients with acute infection, complications from cirrhosis, other major medical problems and autoimmune liver disease should not be treated with interferon.