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Hepatitis C
Dr. Nghia Nguyen at GastroDoxs offers expert, personalized hepatitis C care in Houston, blending advanced diagnostics, antiviral treatments, and lifestyle guidance. With compassionate, culturally sensitive care, he ensures optimal outcomes and supports patients through every step of liver health journey.
Dr. Nghia Nguyen, DO, is a board-certified gastroenterologist providing advanced digestive care in the Greater Houston area. He earned his medical degree from the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed both his Internal Medicine residency and Gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley. Dr. Nguyen specializes in treating conditions such as acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and liver disorders.
Common Causes and Risk Factors
Using injection drugs, now or in the past
Blood transfusions or organ transplants before 1992
Needle or sharp injuries in healthcare settings
Long-term dialysis treatment
Being born to a mother with hepatitis C
High-risk sexual activities
Signs and Symptoms
Often none in early stages
Feeling tired and weak
Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)
Dark urine or pale stools
Pain in the upper right belly
Loss of appetite and nausea
Low fever
How Dr. Nghia Nguyen Diagnoses Hepatitis C?
Dr. Nguyen uses a step-by-step approach:
Medical History and Physical Exam
He reviews your health history, risk factors (injection drug use, blood transfusions, etc.), and symptoms such as fatigue, jaundice, nausea, and epigastric (upper-abdominal) discomfort. A focused liver exam checks for tenderness or enlargement.
Blood Tests
He orders:
• Anti-HCV antibody tests to screen for past exposure
• HCV RNA PCR to confirm active infection and measure viral load
• Liver function tests (ALT, AST, bilirubin) to assess liver injury
Noninvasive Imaging and Elastography
Abdominal ultrasound to evaluate liver texture, detect fatty change or cirrhosis, and rule out masses.
FibroScan® (transient elastography) to quantify liver stiffness and stage fibrosis without biopsy.
Advanced Testing (if needed)
In select cases—such as ambiguous noninvasive results or suspected co-existing liver disease—a percutaneous liver biopsy is performed to confirm diagnosis, stage inflammation, and guide treatment planning.
Treatment
Our Team offers a full range of care for hepatitis C.
1. Lifestyle and Diet Modifications
Avoid or limit alcohol to protect your liver
Eat a healthy diet with fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains
Stay hydrated and maintain a healthy weight
Exercise regularly and get enough sleep
2. Medications
Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) such as sofosbuvir and velpatasvir
Oral treatment courses typically last 8-12 weeks
Over 95% cure rate (sustained virologic response)
3. Minimally Invasive or Advanced Procedures
FibroScan® or liver ultrasound for noninvasive fibrosis assessment
Endoscopy to screen for varices in patients with cirrhosis
Liver biopsy in select cases for detailed evaluation
Dr. Nghia Nguyen, DO, is a board-certified gastroenterologist providing advanced digestive care in the Greater Houston area. He earned his medical degree from the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed both his Internal Medicine residency and Gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley. Dr. Nguyen specializes in treating conditions such as acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and liver disorders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ICD-10 code for hepatitis C?
The ICD-10 code for chronic hepatitis C infection is B18.2. Acute hepatitis C is coded as B17.1.
How is hepatitis C most commonly spread?
Hepatitis C is primarily transmitted through blood-to-blood contact, such as sharing needles. Sexual transmission and mother-to-baby spread are less common.
What symptoms do women experience?
Many women have no symptoms. When present, they may include fatigue, joint pain, irregular periods, abdominal discomfort, or jaundice.
Can hepatitis C be cured?
Yes. Modern direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies cure more than 95% of patients, usually within 8 to 12 weeks of treatment.
How long does treatment take?
Treatment typically lasts 8 to 12 weeks, depending on your virus genotype, liver health, and any prior therapies.
Should I get tested for hepatitis C?
The CDC recommends testing if you have risk factors—such as past injection drug use, blood transfusions before 1992, long-term dialysis—or if you were born between 1945 and 1965.
Is there a hepatitis C vaccine?
Not yet. Prevention relies on avoiding blood exposure, safe injection practices, and harm reduction strategies.
