Can hepatitis C be completely cured?

In general, hepatitis C refers to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, which can be completely cured.

Currently, direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) are the primary treatment for hepatitis C, with cure rates reaching over 95%, and in some patients, even up to 100%. These medications effectively eliminate the hepatitis C virus in the body by inhibiting viral replication. The treatment of hepatitis C requires individualized therapeutic regimens based on the patient's specific conditions, including disease status and viral genotype. Commonly used DAA medications, such as sofosbuvir, sofosbuvir combined with daclatasvir, second-generation grazoprevir/paritaprevir/ombitasvir regimens (Technivie), and third-generation glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (Mavyret), can completely cure hepatitis C within 3 to 5 months depending on the genotype, with a very low recurrence rate.

The typical treatment duration is 8–12 weeks, during which patients need regular blood tests to monitor viral load and liver function. Most patients achieve undetectable levels of virus in subsequent tests, meeting the criteria for virological cure. However, it should be noted that although DAA therapy can cure HCV infection, it is important to assess the patient's liver function and whether there are complications such as cirrhosis before treatment to determine the appropriate treatment plan. Additionally, patients who have been cured still require regular liver function monitoring to prevent recurrence or other liver-related problems.

Patients need to maintain a high level of cooperation and adherence during treatment, including taking medications on time, undergoing regular follow-up examinations, and following medical advice regarding lifestyle modifications, such as avoiding alcohol consumption and staying up late—both of which can damage the liver. Doing so can not only improve treatment efficacy but also help prevent disease recurrence and complications.