By now it's clear to you that starting treatment early, living a healthy lifestyle, and staying committed to your treatment will give you the greatest chances of beating hepatitis C. It is also critical that you take your medication exactly as prescribed by your physician and that you do not skip doses.
Beating hepatitis C means that after you've completed a maximum of 48 weeks of treatment, and for the next 6 months, your test results for hepatitis C are negative.
However, a relapse can occur. A relapse means that although blood was negative for hepatitis C at the end of treatment, the blood is positive again within six months after treatment is over. This means that the virus is not cleared from your body. If you test negative for hepatitis C 6 months after treatment has ended you have achieved a sustained virologic response, or SVR.
Learn more about the extensive biodistribution of PEGINTRON®.
Don't forget to take good care of yourself and make smart, healthy choices during treatment and beyond. And with the Be In Charge® program, you have a toll-free support system to provide you with personal assistance. Be In Charge® supplements the information you receive from doctors and nurses so that you can learn more about hepatitis C. Remember that your body is healthier and stronger when you:
- Get enough rest.
- Eat several small meals throughout the day.
- Enjoy light exercise such as walking.
- Have very little caffeine and no alcohol. Drink plenty of water.
- Do not smoke cigarettes.
- Use relaxation techniques like meditation and deep breathing.
- Avoid stressful situations.
The Be In Charge® Web site offers a comprehensive collection of support materials, including an online resource library. The materials in the Online Resource Library are available in any of 5 languages: English, Spanish (Español), Russian (Русский), Vietnamese (Tếng Việt), and Chinese (中文) to help you:
- Manage Side Effects
- Deal with family, work, and other day-to-day issues
- Learn more about hepatitis C and its treatment
Using Be In Charge® will help you feel confident about your therapy and cope with the physical issues you may encounter before or during treatment. Call toll-free 1-888-437-2608 or visit www.beincharge.com.
And with The Be In Charge® Program, you have a toll-free support system to provide you with personal assistance. Be In Charge® supplements the information you receive from doctors and nurses so that you learn more about hepatitis C. Using this resource will help you feel confident about your therapy and cope with physical issues that you may encounter before or during treatment. Call toll-free 1-888-437-2608 or visit www.beincharge.com.
