Testing for Hep C?

[virgogrl]

My boyfriend went to the dr for orange urine, upset stomach, yellowish skin/eyes, and fatigue.  The dr's took blood and came back and said it's probably liver related but they need to run more tests and ordered a cat scan because they don't know what is wrong. We unfortunately had a pretty vicious breakup and are now not speaking.  I hope everything is fine with him but am now kind of selfishly concerned about myself.  Should I get tested for Hep C?  We have had unprotected sex a few times and he has not had sex with anyone else in a year (he has said and I do believe him), I have only had oral sex with one other person, neither of use have ever used drugs.  I'm just wondering if Hep C is something I need to be concerned about, I don't know much about it and everything I read is conflicting.  Thanks.

[cougareyes]

I was diag w/ non-A non-B hep in 1980, they didn't put it together and name it hep C until 1987; HIV was called GRID in 1980. They didn't start universally testing the blood supply in the U.S. until 1990 - 1993, I can't remember the exact year. I forgot all about 1980 and didn't realize I had HCV until Oct. 2004. You can believe there is stuff out there now that isn't picked up or understood by current blood testing.    Peace

[dyce]

Hello all,Today at work they held a bloodbourne pathogen class.The lady from h.resourses showed us a film and it talked about hiv,hbv and how we might catch either.Well they never mentioned hep.c.One question ask if aids could be active in dried blood for which I said no ,but when I tried to ask how long hep a,b or c remained alive outside of it's host she shut me down.Whats up with this?Like hepatitis b or c couldn't hurt or kill people.Definately not enough awareness about hep c!

MrBB,ha how are you?They started sreening for hepc in 1992 and bebore that it was called non a,non b hepatitis.Hows your day ?

Dyce

[jmjm530]

In all due respect, you have your one exception, TnHepGuy -- maybe others may have theres. OK, fine.  But this isn't about individual people.

My main point indeed was different anyway. It was that we all break the rules here by the very nature of how this board is structured. So who then is to decide that one rule is more important than another.

For example, again, Rule #9 of the MH TOS states that it's against the rules to post a question as a “COMMENT” to someone else’s question. In fact, it's repeated again in red type right below the  "post a comment" notice above every copy box. We all do this because of thread limitation. In fact, you did it in the previous thread and I'm doing it now. And we both agreed to the TOS, isn't that right? Maybe we can wear matching stripes in MH Jail :)

Frankly, the rule I'd like to see enforced most is Rule #6 of MH's TOS " ...Posting material that is ... derogatory, defamatory, threatening, harassing, abusive, slanderous, hateful, or embarrassing to any other person..." And I've certainly been outspoken about it, but alas, in the end, it's up to Med Help to enforce the rules they want to enforce.

BTW I don't disagree with you that some people are abusing the system by starting too many new threads -- and as most of them are newcomers, I think they just need to be gently and nicely reminded. I just don't see the two-thread rule any more relevant than the one topic a thread rule. But then again, I think the 4-week PCR's a good idea and others don't :)

-- Jim

[Mister beagle bailey]

An other thing about the blood, we have no idea what is going to show up 10 or 20 years from now.  Like all those that had blood transfusions years ago, may have contacted Hep then.  I'm sure Hep c has been around for a hundred or so years, and people were diag. withother illnesses.  The thought of what could be in the blood today is scary.

   The beagle

[cuteus]

My daughter, 16, was trying to donate blood. They had an assembly in school for juniors and seniors because of the severe blood shortage facing NY. The folks from the drawing organization, specifically address the problem of people using this manner of testing for blood borne illnesses. They beg that no one uses them for just this purpose. Please do not suggest to anyone to do things this way. All states have health clinics people can use, and college students can get the test for a nominal fee. My oldest paid $40, in New Orleans, for the complete panel of hepatitis. These shortcuts using the blood banks can be a Russian Roulette game.

[NYgirl]

Not knowing when I got this or how i got this...I did know I was transfused four times in the past.  I did ask TWO doctors if I could have gotten it that way.  One doctor said no they screen blood to carefully and the other said "of course the odds are LOW BUT...there are variables and human error that ALWAYS have to be factored in to an equations".

So I agree - I wouldn't try to give blood either just in case.  It's fortunate for some like Cajun that she found out by accident (like most of us really did) but...I think getting a test at a local clinic would be a much safer thing for all.

[vegas777]

ot oh, double trouble, vegas and arizona  on mind altering drugs  hehehe  look out MH  lol

glad you're gonna get that gut taken care of soon

*dip*

[azgrl]

Hey there....I've been coming and reading when I can.  I had some time today so I thought I'd post.  I'm doing well...getting back on track for tx and gb surgery.  Ready to go again.

We may even be starting tx around the same time.  I may be just a few shot s ahead.

We can keep each other company.  : )

Deb in az

[vegas777]

hi sweetie, good to see you here...just wanted to say hello and hope you're faring well...

*dippers*

[azgrl]

I agree on still having the possibility of contracting blood through transfusions now.  YOu can donate blood and they will test it but if you have been exposed there is an incubation period where there is no detection and blood can still get through.  The chances are 1 in 121,000.  For the life of me I can't find the article my doc gave me on this.  I am proof of that.  The transfusions that were given to my son in utero in 2001 and to my daughter in utero in 2002 are the culprit for my contracting it.  My doc and I always refer to 2001 as the one that did it.  There were a total of 16 transfusions between the two pregancies.

Odds/percentages don't mean a thing....when my son was born they said there is a 1% chance of him not making it due to the infections and he didn't make it...then when the same thing happened to my daughter they said there was less than 1/2% of anything happening to her so when it comes to odds and percentages they don't mean a thing.

I dont' know why I just ranted on that.....okay..back to my popsicle eating and reading the popsicle stick jokes...

You know I was thinking the other day as I watching Scooby Doo with my new three year old.....Why after some 30 years or so of Scooby Doo they can't ever figure out that there is some crazy hand that turns the sign in every episode?  You would think they would get a map or something......just some things to ponder.

Deb in Az

[cajunlady]

I have to agree on trying a free clinic in your area.  I think that would be safer all around. I know that it is either free or very minimal expense. If you are person who can not afford insurance and a lower income it will be free.  I have just worked with my girlfriend on a fund raiser for the Simi Valley free clinic. You can get alot done at free clinics and health centers.  

I would not advise you to go donate blood. I went to my companies blood drive after the Northridge Earthquake and actually that is how I found out I had Hep C.  I am thankful everyday that they caught this before my blood got out. That would have just been more contamination to spread around.  But, to err is human and sometimes mistakes are made.  So, better safe than sorry.

So, do, go to your free clinic; there has to be one in your area or not far away from you.  Good Luck on your journey and do let us know what you have decided.

cajun

[mikesimon]

I ain't exactly prepubescent myself. I am 56 so you don't have much on me and neither does Mister BB. Jim, you sound young to me despite your chronological age and I think that will serve you well. I know we get caught up in stats here but sometimes you got to throw all that stuff out. Have you ever checked the odds on transplant patients reaching SVR? I believe you're going to reach SVR despite being an octogenarian. Mike

[vegas777]

either way you look at it, old as in age, old as in length of tx, old as in how long you had hep c, old as in how long it's been since you changed your underwear, let's face it bud, you're old!!  hahahaha  just kidding, you're as old as you feel and I feel 90 today so I guess I am the oldest on stats!  lol

*dip*

[Mister beagle bailey]

Jim---I'm not far behind you, will be 59 in May.

I remember someone being older I think a woman around 70, am I right?  But we have not heard from her in awhile.

  The Beagle

[Mister beagle bailey]

Thanks --I couldn't get on the board with all the name I tried.  So I took my beagle's name hehe....

I had mentioned earlier that I was going to print everyones stats so I remember who is who........and who's on tx, who's not etc.

Bob

[jmjm530]

Oldest so far in the stats. WAKE UP Veg. LOL. (Just kidding). Did forget about Go-Girl -- hope she's doing OK. But oldest here or not, I'm getting the uncomfortable feeling that I may be in the oldest 2-3%. So again, maybe my doc had a point regarding tx when he said "not as old as you".

-- Jim

[vegas777]

you're not the oldest in here - Go Girl is older than you, I am worried about her, she hasen't been back here since she started tx - I have emailed here a few times and got no response

Go Girl Where Are You????????????

[who_is_this]

It is irresponsible to donate blood simply to try to find out if you have hepatitis.  ESPECIALLY if you have a possible exposure.  Why do you think they are so careful to exclude people from risk groups, or people who think they've had an exposure?  If tests caught everything, then there would be no guidelines as to who could donate.  

Medical tests are not perfect, and sometimes tainted blood gets through.  That is why receiving blood STILL carries a risk of hepatitis transmission.  So if someone has had a suspected exposure, they should NOT donate blood to try to find out.

Better to go to your local health dept.  Testing is either free or low cost, based on income.  They can test you for all 3 types.

[jmjm530]

Thanks for the nice words BB.

Mike,

Speaking of "old" -- maybe my doc was right when I asked him regarding the age/svr thing -- I said: "but you treat a lot of older people, right?". He answered "Yes, but not as old as you."

So far, at 59, by our little stat survey,I'm the oldest one treating here. So maybe he has a point. I would just think there would be a lot more my age here or even older. Where are they?

-- Jim

[mikesimon]

Thank God for you too Mister beagle bailey. You have the cutest name on the board - at least that is my opinion. It sort of broke my heart to read your stats. I always thought of you as a cute little beagle and now I fine out you're older than me. Oh well, the name is still way cute. Mike

[Mister beagle bailey]

Thank God for Jim, what would we do without him.  I know I would be lost.  

I believe they only started testing for hep C in blood in the early 90's,before that they only knew of Hep A and B. They didn't know Hep C existed before then, something like that.

Peace---The Beagle

[vegas777]

oh my god!!!  what is wrong with me!!!  sheesh!!!

kalio I am sooooooooooo sorry, I have no excuse other than I am just not paying attention to what I am doing today...Please accept my apologies....

thanks Jim and Mike - guess the "dip" in my name applies today!  lol

[jmjm530]

See post C7. I'm having a bit of trouble focusing these days as well. But at least my excuse is I'm on treatment. LOL.

Be well.

-- Jim

[vegas777]

no of course you were not harsh, you're one of the most soft spoken people here, I took absolutley no offense, in fact I think I should of kept my whining to myself hehehe...what fisheress post?  I see no fisheress post in this thread?