Hepatitis C Treatment Program

through Project ECHO (UNM)

The Pecos Valley Medical Center (PVMC) participates in a Hepatitis C treatment program in conjunction with the University of New Mexico project ECHO.

The Project ECHO Hepatitis C Program is headed by Dr. Aurora, a world renowned specialist in the treatment of Hepatitis C. Through the program, he makes his expertise available to individuals receiving care throughout New Mexico regardless of their ability to pay.

• Hepatitis C, once contracted, can be found in every organ in the body but it prefers the cells of the liver. Once in the liver, it can produce hundreds of thousands to millions of new virus cells every day.
• 70% of people exposed to Hepatitis C develop a chronic form of the disease that eventually leads to long term liver damage known as Cirrhosis. Because we never know who will fall into this category, we encourage early treatment.
• Currently, the most effective treatment for Hepatitis C is Interferon and Ribaviran (also known by several other names). These drugs can have various side effects and it is highly recommended that treatment be monitored by a team of experienced professionals.

If you would like to discuss the Hepatitis C treatment program in further detail and consider treatment, please call for an appointment at PVMC with Debra Johnson, PA-C.

The number to call for an appointment is: (505) 757-6482

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