Who needs HCV treatment?
Treatment guidelines generally agree about when to treat HCV, 
and who to treat.
Regardless of HIV status, for all HIV-positive people this is when “the benefits of therapy outweigh the risks”.Sometimes treatment is recommended for people with coinfection earlier than HIV-negative people.
- HCV treatment is more effective when given during acute infection, and is often recommended for HIV-positive men who have acquired HCV sexually.
- People with mild liver disease do not require treatment right away
- Treatment should be offered to people with moderate liver damage, since they are at risk of progression to cirrhosis.
- People with compensated cirrhosis can be treated, but treatment is less likely to be effective, and side effects may be worse. Careful monitoring is needed.
- People with decompensated cirrhosis cannot be safely treated for hepatitis C. This is when a liver transplant is the only option.
I’ve heard about what happens in families during HCV treatment, people get so depressed, in such a mental state – the husband or wife will say “I hate you”…because people on interferon are so unbearable … it’s not worth it! There’s no guarantee you’ll get rid of HCV, or even get better – but your life can be ruined!’