Can hepatitis C be cured?

Treatment works by stopping the hepatitis C virus from making copies of itself. A clinician chooses the medicine and course after considering the virus type, liver condition, previous treatment, and other medicines.

Feeling better is not enough to confirm cure. Blood testing after treatment checks whether hepatitis C remains detectable. Liver inflammation or scarring may need ongoing review even after the virus has cleared, particularly when liver damage was present before treatment.

Book a GP consultation or specialist review to confirm the diagnosis and discuss treatment. A liver function test may be part of the assessment, alongside other blood tests that measure the virus and evaluate liver health.

Take treatment exactly as prescribed and tell the clinician about every medicine, supplement, or recreational substance you use. Avoid sharing items that may carry blood. Clearing hepatitis C does not create reliable protection against catching it again.

Get urgent help for confusion, extreme drowsiness, vomiting blood, black stools, severe abdominal swelling, or sudden yellowing of the skin or eyes. Contact your treatment team promptly if you cannot keep medicines down or develop a concerning reaction.

Ask which test confirms active infection, when cure will be checked, whether your liver needs continued monitoring, and how to prevent reinfection or blood exposure at home.