IFNA1 and infection: In order to augment the effectiveness of IFN-α employed in the treatment of HCV, two alterations in the protocol for the infection were initiated: Ribavirin, an oral nucleoside analogue that inhibits the growth of some RNA viruses, was added to the regimen [33]; and, the IFN-α was conjugated to polyethylene glycol (peginterferon), thus decreasing its renal clearance and significantly increasing its half-life from about 5 h to almost 90 h, and so decreasing the number of injections required in a treatment course [34].