New Drug Combination Highly Effective For Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C, a bloodborne liver disease, primarily acquired via unscreened blood products or blood transfusions, IV drug use, or inadequate sterilization of medical equipment in the healthcare setting, can potentially result in a condition known as cirrhosis or scarring of the liver and lead to liver cancer. Hepatitis C represents the most common chronic viral infection in the US, ranging in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong ailment. It is estimated that 130–150 million people globally have chronic hepatitis C infection, with about 3.5-4 million in the US alone, and nearly 350,000 to 500,000 people globally die each year from hepatitis C-related liver diseases. With an estimated 4 million people in the US with chronic hepatitis C,  the disease is now the nation’s leading cause of liver cancer and liver transplantation, and is more common than HIV/AIDS as a cause of death. While research is progressing, there is currently no available vaccine for hepatitis C.
Source: Forbes.com Healthcare News - Category: Pharmaceuticals Authors: Source Type: news