HISTORY OF HEPATITIS C

Will Your Insurance Cover Hepatitis
C Treatment?
In recent years, the outlook for people with chronic
hepatitis C virus (HCV) has changed dramatically for the
better. New anti-viral drugs have made HCV curable for

many people. These drugs can be used alone or in
combination with other medications.
Why Is Hepatitis C a Big Deal?
HCV causes an infection that attacks the liver. If the
disease becomes chronic, it can lead to liver disease.
This can include cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer, and
even liver failure.

HCV is transmitted through blood and other bodily
fluids. At one time, the disease frequently was spread
through blood transfusions. Today, current or former
intravenous drug users and people who received blood
transfusions before 1992 are at the greatest risk. Often,
people don’t experience symptoms until the disease
progresses. The virus disappears without treatment in
about 15 to 20 percent of people who are infected.
Hepatitis C and Its Treatment: A
Timeline
400 B.C.
Campaign Jaundice
Hippocrates described a condition he called “epidemic
jaundice.” In the 8th century A.D., Pope Zacharias
quarantined men and horses with jaundice. This was
meant to control the spread of the disease.
Jaundice was reported throughout many centuries. More
than 40,000 cases were recorded in the Union Army
during the Civil War. It was so prevalent among armies
that the condition is sometimes referred to as
“campaign jaundice.” Scientists today believe many of
these cases of jaundice were forms of hepatitis.


1942-1945
Hepatitis and World War II
Approximately 182,383 service members were
hospitalized for HCV during World War II. The disease
was contracted in two different ways. The two different
types that are recognized are serum and acute.
An epidemic of hepatitis broke out among many service
members who were vaccinated against yellow fever. The
source of the infection was traced to the serum, or clear
fluid in the blood, that was used in the vaccine. This
form of the disease became known as serum hepatitis.
...
A different form of hepatitis, acute hepatitis, was found
among soldiers who had received blood transfusions.

1960s
Hepatitis B Is Accidentally Discovered
Baruch Blumberg was researching genetic links to
disease susceptibility. During this time, he accidentally
discovered the hepatitis B (HBV) virus in the blood
sample of an Australian Aborigine. This discovery led to
the development of a test to screen people for HBV.
This also led to an effective vaccine for the disease. In
1976, Blumberg was awarded the Nobel Prize for his
work.
1973
Hepatitis A Is Discovered
Led by Steven Feinstone, scientists at the National
Institutes of Health identified the virus responsible for
hepatitis A (HAV). The virus was discovered in fecal
samples from prisoner volunteers. Noted microbiologist
Maurice Hilleman developed the first effective vaccine
for HAV in 1981.
1975
A Previously Unrecognized Hepatitis Is Found
American and British researchers identified a type of
hepatitis that didn’t test positive for the proteins found
with HAV or HBV. Both teams conclude that a
previously unrecognized human hepatitis virus is the
likely cause.
1989
Hepatitis C Virus Is Identified
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and
Chiron came together to identify the hepatitis C (HCV)
virus. There isn’t a vaccine for HCV at this time.

1991
A New Drug to Treat HCV Is Approved
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved
interferon alfa-2B (Intron A), the first of the interferon
drugs for the treatment of HCV in 1991. Interferons are
proteins found in the human body. They were given their
name because they interfere with virus’ ability to
replicate.
.....
1992
Testing of the Blood Supply Begins
Screening the United States’ blood supply for HCV
began in 1990. But in 1992, a more sensitive test
became available. Today, the risk from known
genotypes of HCV is virtually nonexistent.
.....
......
1998
FDA Approves Combination of Interferon and Ribavirin
The anti-viral drug ribavirin is used to treat some viral
infections. When used alone, this drug proved ineffective
in treating HCV. When used in combination with
interferon and other drugs, it became an important
element of HCV therapy. This drug is most effective in
preventing HCV relapse rather than as an anti-viral
agent.
...
...
2001
Pegylated Interferon Boosts Effectiveness of Interferon
Peginterferon alfa-2b (PegIntron) is a mix of interferon
and polyethylene glycol. This combination helps the
drug stay in your bloodstream longer. The FDA approved
both pegylated interferon and the combination of
pegylated interferon with ribavirin.
...
2010
Rapid Antibody Test Improves HCV Detection
The detection of HCV was transformed when the FDA
approved a rapid antibody test called OraQuick. This
test gives you results in just 20 minutes.
..
2013
New Direct-Acting Anti-Virals Are Approved
The FDA approved these new medications for
-
_
HCV in
2013:
Sofosbuvir (Sovaldi) is a new drug that can be
used in therapies without the addition of pegylated
interferon. The cost of this breakthrough drug is
extremely high. This places it out of reach for
many people throughout the world. There’s a
compassion program called SupportPath, which
can partially or fully subsidize the drug for qualified
individuals.
Sofosbuvir (Sovaldi) combined with ribavirin
provides similarly effective treatment without
pegylated interferon.
Simeprevir (Olysio) is an effective new drug that’s
also used without pegylated interferon. It offers
many of the same benefits as sofosbuvir.
These drugs vary in effectiveness depending on the
drugs used and the genotype of the HCV. For example,
one study found that sofosbuvir (Sovaldi) combined with
ribavirin cured 95 percent of people with genotype 2.
In addition to higher cure rates, all three drugs offer a
far shorter length of treatment and fewer side effects.
They’re available in pill form.
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The Future of HCV Treatment
Approximately 2.7 million Americans have chronic HCV
infection. However, the future has never looked brighter
for those with the virus. The new drugs that are being
developed and tested bring the promise of a cure within
reach for many people affected by HCV.