Personal stories about antiviral treatment for hepatitis C

These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.

Frank, age 29: I would like to try combination treatment with peginterferon and ribavirin to try to keep my liver healthy. I realize that I may never have liver failure, even if I don't have treatment, but I want to feel like I've done everything possible to prevent it.

Rick, age 50: I was shocked when I tried to donate blood and found out that I had hepatitis C. My liver enzymes have been up, but my liver doesn't show any signs of damage yet. I'm glad. I hate the thought of having a treatment that might make me sick, and I really don't believe that my liver will be damaged. I am just going to keep visiting my doctor to keep an eye on my condition.

Nina, age 45: I have two teenagers, and I really want to stay as healthy as I can for as long as I can while they grow up and have their own families. My doctor says antiviral treatment is the best chance I have of staying healthy and active, so I am going to take my doctor's advice and have treatment.

Karen, age 53: The side effects of treatment worry me. It also costs a lot of money, and it doesn't help everyone. I don't feel sick, even though my doctor says that my liver enzymes have been a little high for about the past 8 months and my liver biopsy showed some mild damage. Because of my concerns, my doctor and I decided to keep checking my liver enzymes and repeat the liver biopsy in a few years.