What should I do if I have chronic hepatitis C?

In general, hepatitis C refers to chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Long-term HCV infection can be managed through dietary regulation, general treatment, medication, surgery, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Dietary Regulation

Patients with hepatitis C should maintain regular and moderate eating habits, consuming meals at fixed times and in controlled portions. They should avoid excessive intake of greasy foods and instead consume appropriate amounts of vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables, as well as high-quality protein foods such as lean meat, milk, and eggs.

2. General Treatment

Prolonged HCV infection may occur due to low immune function or inadequate self-care, leading to viral infection. If patients do not exhibit obvious symptoms, symptoms can be alleviated by adjusting lifestyle habits—ensuring sufficient sleep, avoiding long-term sleep deprivation, and refraining from heavy physical labor.

3. Medication

If patients experience fatigue or weakness, antiviral medications such as ribavirin tablets or sofosbuvir tablets may be used under medical supervision.

4. Surgical Treatment

If hepatitis C has progressed to severe conditions such as cirrhosis or even liver failure, prompt referral to a reputable hospital's hepatology department is necessary. Treatments such as liver transplantation may be required and are often effective.

5. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

According to TCM theory, hepatitis C is often associated with internal accumulation of damp-heat or liver qi stagnation. Therefore, patients should first undergo an initial assessment of their condition before selecting an appropriate TCM formula. For those with liver qi stagnation, medications such as Longdan Xiegan Wan or Yinchen Wuling San may be used under medical guidance.

If any discomfort occurs, patients are advised to seek timely medical attention to prevent disease progression.