What do the genyo types mean!! what is the difference between the types and what do they mean?

 Hi again pootinlady, genotypes are just different variations or strains of the Hep C virus.  Viruses are tricky little things which mutate over time and evolve into different strains.  The most common strain in the US is genotype 1, followed by genotypes 2 and 3.

Your genotype is important because it will determine which tx would be best for you. Most people here on the forum are type 1 (either 1a or 1b), which in the past has been the most difficult to treat, and so they are doing one of the `triple` tx therapies, meaning with 3 different medicines.   People with genotypes 2 and 3 currently do their tx with 2 medicines (see my previous reply).

Here`s a link to a very informative website that you may find useful.  If you scroll down to `Hepatitis C Tests` you`ll see a section on genotypes -

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets.asp

Hope that helps,  good luck with your appointment! 

~ Jill xx

Hi pootinlady and a very warm welcome

Below is a link to some good info for those who have been recently diagnosed.

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/Newly%20Diagnosed.pdf

As iggle has mentioned, write down any questions you have before your appointment, as it's very easy to forget them once you're there. If possible, take a friend or family member with you as they are more likely to remember things. Make sure that your doc explains things properly and don't hesitate to ask any question or voice any concerns you may have.

Another handy link here about getting the best results from your appointments

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/max_appoint.pdf

Love Steff xx

Hi pootinlady, it`s good to hear you`re moving forward now and preparing for your appointment next week.

As iggle said, your doctor will most likely take some blood samples in order to do various test, he will know what he`s looking for.   One of the most important results from those tests will be your genotype, which is the strain of virus you have. That is what will determine the type of tx (treatment)  you will need to do, whether it will be with the 2 standard drugs (peg interferon + ribavirin) alone, or whether you will need to add a 3rd drug (incivek or victrelis). 

Some of us know roughly when and how we caught the virus, others can`t pin it down, and actually how long you`ve had it doesn`t really matter.  The main thing is that you are dealing with it now and working towards a healthy future.

All the best of luck, let us know how it goes! 

~ Jill xx

i don't think there is any way to precisely tell how long you have had this. what the doc will likely do is give you some blood tests to check your viral load and liver functions. the lower your viral load is the better. he or she may want you to have a liver biopsy to see if there has been any damage done. then based on other health issues you may have, and the results of those tests your doctor and you will decide if treatment is a good option for you.

my doctor told me that hepc works very slowly, and there is no immediate rush to do anything. you have time to think things through and figure out what course of action you want to take if any.

my advice is this; no question is stupid, so ask anything and everything you can think of. i had so many questions i wrote them all down and then sorted them by order of importance lol the people on this board seem to be very knowledgable, so they will probably be able to answer many of your questions.

try not to worry too much, because there has been great advances in the treatments available. a lot of people are successfully clearing the virus.

Ok I have come to terms with the fact I have this, so what questions should I ask my D kind I have or how long I have had itr??? I see him On Monday. I dont know what kind I have or how long I have had it, I will ask those questions but what else should I ask?