Acute or Chronic?

Around 1 in 4 people get rid of (clear) hepatitis C by themselves. The immune system in their body is able to fight it off. Everyone else will need help in the form of medical treatment to clear the virus. There is no scientific evidence that alternative therapies or chinese medicine help to get rid of the virus. However, some people find alternative/complimentary therapies help them cope with their symptoms or side effects of the medical treatment.

Acute Infection - Short Term

You are said to have an 'acute Infection' if you can clear the virus by yourself quite quickly. There is no official timescale for ‘Acute Hepatitis C' but it is often within the first 6-9 months of getting the virus.

Chronic Hep C - Long Term

Most people (around 4 out of 5) who become infected with hepatitis C cannot get rid of the virus by themselves. Without treatment they will carry the virus in their body long term. This is referred to as a ‘chronic infection'.