My treatment finished last week and I am waiting to find out if I am cured.

The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the Infectious Diseases Society of America state that: “Successful hepatitis C treatment results in sustained virologic response (SVR), which is tantamount to virologic cure”.  Despite this, I often encounter people with lived experience of hepatitis C, who still refuse to accept that SVR equals a cure.

Once I am cured my viral load becomes permanently undetectable. Having an undetectable viral load actually means it is beneath the level of detection. It could be zero or it could be a very small amount which can’t be detected with current technology. Either way, the virus is unable to replicate, which is why it is called a “cure”. Also, it is impossible for me to transmit the virus to my partner or anyone else when my viral load is undetectable.

Of course, after clearing the hep C virus I will always be antibody positive. This does not mean the virus is present, it means I have the antibodies against it in the same way I have antibodies against the flu once I have had it. I often hear of people who are confused or alarmed when they a full blood test shows they are hep C antibody positive, years after clearing the virus.  I know being antibody positive will preclude me from donating blood for the rest of my life.  And when I die my organs will be considered unsuitable for transplant, except to people who have hep C.  These things are discriminatory and need serious attention, and soon.

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But as individuals in the affected communities, I believe it is our responsibility to grasp the new reality of a cure with both hands and celebrate it.  There are so many “war stories” about the old hep C treatment, so many people who still believe hepatitis C is a death sentence.  People who have lived with hep C for most of their lives find it hard enough to accept it has gone once they are cured, without anyone putting further doubt in their mind. Hepatitis C is curable and treatment has changed. We need to embrace it and spread the good news to the darkest corners where fear and ignorance thrive. 

For now all I can say is I’m finished treatment and I’m waiting for SVR.