Hepatitis C Virus Treatment in India

Aadya Miller, a 28-year-old graphic designer,...

Aadya Miller, a 28-year-old graphic designer, had always been a healthy and vibrant person. Her life took a difficult turn when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma at age 24. After successfully undergoing chemotherapy, she was in remission but was left with lingering fatigue and unexplained joint pain that her oncologist couldn't attribute to the past cancer treatment. During a routine follow-up, her primary care doctor ran a full panel of blood tests and discovered elevated liver enzymes. Aadya was shocked and confused, having no obvious risk factors. Her hepatologist recommended a liver biopsy to assess the extent of possible liver damage and to confirm a suspected Hepatitis C infection, likely acquired from a blood transfusion during her cancer treatment years prior. The biopsy procedure was intimidating; lying still while a needle was guided into her liver was a stark reminder of her past medical battles. The pathology report confirmed a chronic Hepatitis C infection with moderate fibrosis (stage F2). This definitive diagnosis, while difficult, was also a relief, it provided an answer. Aadya began a 12-week course of direct-acting antiviral medication. Post-treatment, her viral load became undetectable, and her energy slowly returned. Emotionally, she moved from confusion and fear about a new, silent illness to empowerment. Knowing the exact stage of her liver disease from the pathologist's report gave her and her doctors a clear roadmap to a cure, allowing her to finally close the chapter on the long tail of her cancer journey.