Hepatitis C is Now Curable at Synergy MD Clinic
Chronic Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of liver disease worldwide, affecting approximately 2.4 million Americans. Left untreated, chronic HCV causes progressive liver inflammation (hepatitis), scarring (fibrosis), irreversible cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer).
The revolutionary development of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has completely transformed HCV management. What once required year-long injections with severe side effects now achieves cure — a Sustained Virologic Response (SVR) — in over 95% of patients with just 8-12 weeks of once-daily oral medication with minimal side effects.
Who Should Get Tested for Hepatitis C?
The CDC recommends HCV screening for:
- All adults 18 years and older (one-time screening)
- Anyone who has ever injected drugs, even once
- People with HIV
- Anyone born between 1945-1965 (Baby Boomers) — highest HCV prevalence
- Recipients of blood transfusions or organ transplants before 1992
- Healthcare workers with needlestick exposures
- Incarcerated individuals (current or former)
- Children born to HCV-positive mothers
Our Hepatitis C Treatment Process
- Initial Testing — HCV antibody screening, followed by HCV RNA quantitative test if antibody positive
- Genotype Testing — Determines HCV strain (genotypes 1-6) to guide medication selection
- Liver Assessment — FibroScan (transient elastography) or non-invasive blood markers to stage liver fibrosis
- Treatment Selection — Based on genotype, fibrosis stage, prior treatments, and comorbidities
- Treatment Monitoring — HCV RNA at week 4 and end of treatment
- SVR Confirmation — HCV RNA 12 weeks after treatment completion — if undetectable, you are CURED
- Post-Cure Follow-up — Annual liver function and surveillance for cirrhotic patients
DAA Medications Available
- Mavyret (glecaprevir/pibrentasvir) — Pan-genotypic (works for all genotypes 1-6). 8-week cure for treatment-naive patients. Once daily, 3 tablets.
- Epclusa (sofosbuvir/velpatasvir) — Pan-genotypic. 12 weeks. Excellent for genotype 3, decompensated cirrhosis.
- Harvoni (sofosbuvir/ledipasvir) — Genotype 1, 4, 5, 6. 8-12 weeks depending on fibrosis stage.
- Vosevi — For retreatment failures or specific genotypes.
Hepatitis C & Addiction — A Critical Connection
HCV is extremely common in individuals with a history of injection drug use — prevalence can be as high as 60-90% in this population. Dr. Kaura's unique expertise in both Infectious Disease and Addiction Medicine makes Synergy MD Clinic the ideal place for HCV treatment in patients with substance use disorder.
Active substance use is no longer a contraindication to HCV treatment. Patients on MAT (Suboxone, methadone) can and should be treated for HCV — cure rates are equivalent to the general population, and successful HCV cure often serves as a powerful motivator in addiction recovery.
"Every person with Hepatitis C deserves to be cured. Active drug use is not a barrier to treatment — it is even more reason to treat. Curing HCV reduces liver damage, prevents transmission, and often marks a turning point in recovery." — Dr. Abhimanyu Kaura MD