Biotech Values

[ThomasS]

HCV: "If a normal immune system can kill the HCV virions as fast as the virions are reproduced, thereby keeping the viral load at an extremely low level, the patient is effectively cured, barring degradation to the patient’s immune system from something unrelated to the HCV infection. From a practical standpoint, holding the virus at such a low level is as good as total eradication of the virus for almost all patients."

Spot on, although I would add a caveat: A given viral load level affects each patient differently for a myriad of reasons. To wit: My average load is quite "high" by traditional measures; yet, my liver enzymes are only mildly elevated. (The traditional hallmark of continuing damage to hepatocytes).
Coffee consumption is just one of many suspects for my viral tolerance/protective liver effects.