An ode to the hepatitis C virus in free verse

The current standard therapy for hepatitis C is a combination of interferon and the anti-viral drug ribavarin in a 48-week course.

Common side effects of this heavy chemical onslaught (they give you anti-depressants first) include flu or heroin withdrawal-like symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, muscle ache, and fatigue. Other common side effects are nausea, loss of appetite, depression and related symptoms, such as anxiety, irritability, insomnia, and mental confusion.

While less common, psychiatric side effects include aggressive behavior, psychosis, hallucinations, and mania; a few cases of suicide have been reported. Some people taking pegylated interferon develop neutropenia (reduced levels of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell). Pegylated interferon can also cause thrombocytopenia (reduced levels of platelets, a type of cell that helps blood to clot), colitis, pancreatitis, heart and thyroid problems, lung disorders, and autoimmune diseases. Other side effects can include vision problems, itching, hair loss, and injection site reactions (soreness or swelling at the site of injection). It is also important to be aware of the potential side effects of ribavirin.

That was just the interferon, you see...

If that's the cure, I think I prefer the disease, thank you. From the fragmented depths of the C:\ drive I find words for every occasion, and so here:

I have a friend who carries the virus
But he doesn’t take it as seriously as you.
He takes the piss and jokes about it.
He won’t stop drinking wine, the bastard, he always has a glass to hand -

No, I’m not talking about myself.
How would I have got hep C?
Isn’t it some disease for junkies and queers? –

Now you’ve made me forget what I was saying.
Something about… something about…
This exceptional Merlot, perhaps.
Let’s have another glass.

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