Hello!
Well, first, let me say, congratulations. Hep C can be an awful disease with a long and painful prognosis, as I'm sure you're aware... but, there is a small percentage of people who respond so well to the interferon therapy that they become essentially cured of the virus, and it is no longer ever detectable in their system. It sounds like this is the case for you, and that is terrific!
The question you're asking is one of risk/benefit, and how you choose to live your life. IF we presume that you are cured of hepatitis C then you could have a glass of wine every night for the rest of your LIFE and it would be absolutely fine. The French would even argue that it would be good for your heart. Your liver function tests will probably never become abnormal again, and since you have no virus in your system, you wouldn't be able to reactivate it with the additional stress on your liver.
However, IF there are a few cells still infected with the virus hanging around in your liver that have escaped detection, and you stress out your liver with a drink every night, could those viruses turn around and start taking over your liver again? It's possible.
Hepatitis C is found in people that have had blood transfusions (usually greater than about 20 years ago, when we started testing the blood supply for it), and in folks who get tattoos from questionable sources, but also people who use needles for drugs, and possibly even in prostitutes. In many cases, alcohol abuse is part of the drug abuse that goes along with hepatitis C infection, so we have seen what drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can do to the person with hep C... as you imagine, liver failure.
But for you, we're not talking about an abuse situation. And furthermore, it certainly sounds as though you may have actually been cured of the infection. And beyond that, there's the question of enjoying your life. Alcohol is a toxin... but the charred portion of a seared piece of meat is too. And so is just living in LA and breathing this air. As is going out in the sun without sunscreen...
You see what I'm saying?
The risk for you is that you will reactivate hepatitis C, and that will affect your life adversely for the remainder of your life. The benefit is that you will enjoy every day of your life a bit more. And, from what you've told me, I'd say that the risk of reactivation of the disease is low. But it remains, hence your doctor's conservative advice.
Only you can make the decision about what to do, and the best way to do that is to be well-informed. From my experience, I can tell you that your risk of disease is low, but I can't tell you that it's absolutely zero. But I also advocate enjoying life. That's why I get on a motorcycle (always with a helmet) when I can, even though I've seen so many folks who have died in accidents.
Hope that helps. If so, please accept my answer, and leave me feedback. Thanks.
