Relationship between viral load and disease progression? - MightysMom

[Guest guest]

Hi MightysMom

What Teri says is so, but - her last sentance is most important.

This is what the HCV does.

A HCV copy will enter a healthy liver cell, and hijack that cells RNA to make a copy of itself.

This will kill the liver cell, and it will become scar tissue [fibrosis-cirrhosis].

Then both copys will re-enter the bloodstream.

I dont know how often a copy will do this, or the time frame involved.

I have been told and read that HCV progresses slowly, so perhaps a HCV copy will only replicate every few months.

Or maybe it take awhile to complete the replication process.

Thus, logically, the higher the viral load, the more HCV copies are attacking healthy liver cells to make copys of themselves, thus destroying those liver cells in the process, regaurdless of the time frame involved.

To me - I am not a medical professional - this logically means a higher VL = faster progression and damage.

I could be wrong - you would need to consult your doctor.

If what I say is true - I should think that your doctor would wish to start treatment on your son - ASAP.

This is just my opinion.

I suggest that you talk with your doctor.

Your doctor will know more of the science behind everything.

love

don in ks

Hi,My 13 year old son's viral load is 154 million. He has stage 2-3 fibrosis.How much does viral load figure in to chances for a cure?How much does viral load figure in to disease progression? Is a high viral load predictive of faster progression?What are the factors which influence how rapidly the disease progresses if it is untreated?Thanks!MM