My doctor explained that I more than likely contracted this virus from the eight blood transfusions I had in 1982 during a minor surgery that went wrong. No one told me that the blood I needed to save my life could in the long run kill me. Presently there is no cure for Hepatitis C with only a few treatments available. In 1995 the only approved FDA treatment being offered for HCV was 3 million units of recombinant alpha interferon. The patient must inject themselves 3 times a week for a period of six months.
Positive results appear within the first three months of treatment.
The doctor explained there were some side effects that included symptoms like a bad case of flu, however he indicated that they would subside within the first two weeks. Also he explained, there could be problems with certain blood levels that required monitoring during the treatment. One week later I was so sick I could hardly get out of bed. The side effects from the interferon were horrible. I gave myself the injection at night with 2 Tylenol as directed by my doctor.