Figure 5From: Replicative Homeostasis III: implications for antiviral therapy and mechanisms of response and non-responseKinetics of HCV infection. HCV replication increases rapidly to peak at ~107 copies HCV RNA ml usually by week 12 (A) before falling to ~105 long term. Concentration of virus anti-cell-defence molecules therefore maximal during acute phase infection and ~102 greater than chronic phase (B to C).Back to article page