Fact or Wot ?

[brionon]

Recently saw Anita R. say on TV. that she has had the Hepatitis C. virus for 35 years which she had contracted through a blood transfusion. She also said that she was only diagnosed with this Disease 2 years ago. My question is, how could she possibly know A} how long she has the disease and B} how she had contracted it ?
This is not an Anti-Anita remark, I'm genuinely puzzled.

[kempie]

Hep C was identified in the late 80s and UK donated blood began being screened for the virus in 1991.

Presumably Anita pinpoints the 1971 transfusion she received during the birth of her daughter as the only/most likely candidate for transmitting the infection.

[saxy_jag]

I think, also, that Hep C is one of those things for which you can carry the virus without showing any outward signs and symptoms of having the disease.

[chazza]

Also, the virus she has is not sexually transmitted and can only be transmitted through things like blood transfusions. There may be other ways you can get it but if the blood transfusion is the only one she has had, then thats how she knows how she got it

[brionon]

Of course if it were the Only way, but is it ? Found this on the Net.
How does a person get hepatitis B or C?
The viruses that cause hepatitis B or C can be caught in different ways. Generally, they are spread by contact with infected blood or other body fluids of people who have hepatitis B or C infection. For example, you can get hepatitis B and C by having sex with an infected person.

People who use intravenous drugs can get hepatitis B or C when they share needles with someone who has the virus. Health care workers, such as nurses, lab technicians and doctors, can get these infections if they are accidentally stuck with a needle that was used on an infected patient.

[saxy_jag]

Hep C spreads in pretty much the same ways as HIV - through unprotected sex, through blood transfusions, but also through needlestick injuries and through having infected body fluid enter cuts or other bodily openings.

I used to work in a care home where a couple of the residents were Hep C positive. If they ever vomited or cut or peed themselves etc, then we had to wear full protection (gloves, apron, mask etc) for the cleaning up job and use special cleaning granules as well. Similarly, if they spat in our faces or scratched us, we'd have to go to occ. health for a routine blood test.

All staff were expected to get vaccinated as well.

[teag1rl]

There isnt a vaccine for Hep C. Only A and B