Hepatitis C is now curable—but access to treatment remains uneven in Russia

Hepatitis C has shifted from a chronic illness to a curable condition in recent years. Advances in treatment, particularly since the 2010s, now offer cure rates above 95%. Yet despite these breakthroughs, access to modern therapies remains uneven across Russia, leaving some patients without the latest options.

For decades, hepatitis C was treated with interferon-based therapies, which succeeded in only half of cases. The arrival of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) changed this dramatically, pushing cure rates beyond 95%. These drugs are now the standard treatment, but their high cost and registration delays still limit availability in certain regions.

When it comes to pregnancy, the virus does not harm fertility or fetal development. Doctors, however, take extra precautions. They track blood biochemistry, viral levels, and placental function throughout gestation. Antiviral treatment is typically postponed until after childbirth, as the drugs are not prescribed during pregnancy. The risk of a mother passing hepatitis C to her baby is low, at around 5–6%. Breastfeeding is considered safe, as the virus does not spread through breast milk. Once breastfeeding concludes, mothers are urged to start antiviral therapy to clear the infection completely.

Modern medicine has removed hepatitis C as a barrier to parenthood. With proper monitoring and timely treatment, women with the virus can safely have children. After delivery and breastfeeding, antiviral therapy offers a high chance of eliminating the infection for good.