Hepatitis C from blood transfusion

[Dappymummy]

My mum had a blood transfusion in 1976 after having me. Just seen the news about blood transfusions. Should I be persuading my mum to have a blood test? Do you ever naturally over come this. Could she have treatment for it nearly 40 years after infection if she has it ?

If she contracted hep C 40 years ago, surely she would have been showing symptoms by now?

I think it can take years and symptoms often vague? Anyone ?

I thought they'd tracked people down? Would it show up in any subsequent blood tests though?

Hope she's ok - those poor people contracting HepC and AIDs.

I think she does fit the criteria to be tested for Hep C though her risk for being positive with a single blood transfusion is low (less than 1 in 2000). The risk in people who received other blood products is higher .

Maybe encourage her to speak to her GP.

Maybe encourage her to speak to her GP.

I'd suggest contacting transfusion services directly.

Thank you for your replies. I think I will contact the transfusion service. I guess 1 in 2000 is quite low. Trying to equate that to something else. Does anyone else have a mum who had a transfusion in the 70's?

I had transfusions in the 70s but I seem to be OK (moved to a Middle East country where they screen you for absolutely everything before you can stay, and where healthcare is a lot more preventative than it is in the UK). So I'm pretty sure I never caught anything.

A huge part of the response to any public health mistake/crisis has to be supporting and informing the 'worried well'. In which case anyone who is concerned about possible contamination would be right to ask their GP or the BTS about testing. I agree with hello that asking the BTS direct is possibly better as they are likely to be more geared up than GPs. Though GPs should know what's what obviously.

I've just been reading about the situation in Ireland where women were infected with Hep C after receiving Anti-D in the 1970s. I hadn't realised how widespread that was - though the UK blood supplies were different so less of a problem with Anti-D, I think. I have a different liver condition so have been tested for viruses and am negative - so at least that's something I don't need to worry about.

Thanks Feesh. Can i ask was your transfusion done here though?

Dappy, I know lots of people who had transfusions in the '70s. Most of them do not have Hep C. But if your mum is worried she should seek a test. In 40 years, if she's not shown signs of problems, it's highly likely she is not infected.

I was traced and tested for hep c a number of years ago because a medic who was present at one of my daughters c sections subsequently went on to develop it. I was negative. That incident would have been 1994 or 1995. I do think if your mother had hep C it would have been picked up by now, it is 39 years ago after all.

I had transfusions in 1970s a 3yo. I'm ok ATM having been tested during pregnancies & through work…am a HCP. Highly likely all is fine with your mum, but if she hasn't had blood tests recently her GPs could run some which would highlight any potential issues. Her Liver Function Tests would show any issues even if she's asymptomatic.

Thanks all. The only thing that worries me is that about 12 years ago blood test showed elevated billirubin levels but GP wasn't concerned. Had blood test since nothing picked up as a concern. Thought maybe at the time might be Gilberts syndrome?

Yes my transfusions were in the UK when I was very little

Called transfusion service. They were vague and said they don't have any advice. Just to call 111. Surely with this being so im

Sorry stupid phone. Then called hep c trust. Who were more helpful. Suggested as a high risk group to get tested. Why oh why aren't the transfusion service tracing everyone and asking them to be routinely tested. Feeling sick with worry and not sure how to broach the subject with her

The transfusion service do trace people. Every unit of blood is fully traceable from vein to vein. If your mum had received a unit of blood and the person was subsequently found to have an infection (within 30 years of the transfusion occurring) she would have been traced.

The fact that she has heard nothing means that, in all likelihood, no one who donated blood she received will have been infected.

In case it helps...

She's very unlikely to have it, given those odds, but yes if she is concerned (she may not be, have that chat and see how she feels?) a test would be helpful. If she has no symptoms after 40 years, odds are even lower.

If by a very long shot she did test positive, she may be one of the lucky ones who never go on to develop liver damage. And even if she weren't, yes there are treatments and they are often curative.

I had hepatitis C and was treated in 1998, and have been absolutely clear of the virus ever since - as have several others I know. Its important to know if you do have it (to get your liver checked, and also for infection control reasons) but it is very often dealable-with.

HTH a little x

Stood here crying because everyone is being so kind. I don't have any rl friends that are so understanding. Will pull myself together. Glad you are ok Eilbeen and thanks for taking the time to reply to me

Dappy don't cry. Everything will work itself out - try not to worry while waiting x

Someone I used to work with had a transfusion after giving birth in the late 70's. She had a blood test for an unrelated matter, suspicious mole, and Hep C was diagnosed. No symptoms.

I'm sorry I can't be clearer about the dates. This was about 10 years ago and she's 60+ now. She was off work for some time having treatment, which seemed to be some sort of chemo. At least it had an equivalent effect on her.

But I saw her the other day, and she looked in the pink of condition.

If I were your dm, I'd want a blood test. Easy to do. Worth a lot for peace of mind. But it's quite possible that the blood tests she's already had might have included a routine Hep C check?

Pretty sure Hep C is not part of any routine test. Obviously nowadays donated blood is tested routinely, but patient blood is only tested after the patient is asked for permission. I think this is correct anyway.

OP, you do need to speak to your mum as it's her decision whether she is tested or not. She might already know she's been tested, if it was done at the time of the raised bilirubin. I am sorry you are so worried, OP. I hope you get the desired answer asap.

Quick update. Plucked up courage to speak to my dm. She looked a bit surprised and said she did worry about it at one time especially when she feels tired. She had a very bad break down about 12 years ago and had blood tests at the time. Elevated billirubin levels and dr asked her if she drank. She is tea total but nothing more was said. I feel terrible because I read up about it and said maybe its Gilberts syndrome. She seemed satisfied with this. Has had subsequent blood tests at new surgery and nothing was picked up or recalled. Surely if elevated billirubin they would investigate? She didn't seem too worried and said well if I have I've had it for 40 years it can't be too bad but I will try and persuade to be checked.

I think any investigation of the liver would include hepatitis blood tests. It seems unlikely that my colleague's blood test for a suspicious mole would pick it up but your mother's tests would miss it.

And it is rare. But, as you know, you can have it for 40 years without symptoms - that seems to be the usual course of events.Hope she'll agree to mention it to her GP just to put your mind at rest.

All true, though if you have it for 40 years (as opposed to 10 or even 20) without any symptoms at all, you almost certainly don't have the sort that progresses to cirrhosis. The average for liver damage to start happening is between 10 and 20 years, and typically that would be when symptoms are likely to start - not shaking off infections, exhaustion, etc.

But it is possible. So I think you did the right thing, and your mum can ask to be tested for peace of mind (yours as well as hers!) - well done x