Aa
Where do I begin?
I went to a detox facility where they done some lab work six months ago and they said that it was highly possible that I have hep c. The doctor there told me to get further testing to make sure as well as to get treatment. At first I was scared to get tested now I am scared not to. I dont have any insurance and very little money. I know that I need to get tested soon and start treatment. I just dont know where to start. Will the health department do it there? Any advice? Thanks a bunch
unfortunately if people can't afford it they will continue to test this way. in a perfect world people would never consider this but it is what it is.
I believe many of the people infected via transfusions before blood was screened were from junkies that sold their blood for a fix. Many of these junkies knew they had something called "Non-Hep A or B" yet they continued to sell their blood to the banks on a weekly basis!
I believe many of the people infected via transfusions before blood was screened were from junkies that sold their blood for a fix. Many of these junkies knew they had something called "Non-Hep A or B" yet they continued to sell their blood to the banks on a weekly basis!
Please don't use our blood banks to verify infection. As suggested above, the system is NOT foolproof, and we don't want infected blood slipping through the cracks.
Bill
Bill
Hm. That's a pondering thought. Not a situation we deal with here, coming from a country where those things are free and accessible. Hm. Thanks for sharing that bit of information. Enlightening.
believe it or not people often donate blood or apply for life insurance to get free testing. happens more then you can imagine. not saying i agree with it but if I couldn't afford it and there was no other way I might consider it.
I know you mean well but perhaps not the best advice you've ever given perhaps. :) I wouldn't be too thrilled to find out someone donated blood that they suspected might be infected - I'm sure the ones on the receiving end wouldn't want people taking those kinds of chances. Chances are remote infected blood will slip through perhaps but accidents happen and why take that risk with someone else's life.
Jenn - good luck with finding other options, must be free clinics that will test and I would think the HIV clinics will due to the numbers of persons with HIV who also have HCV. Hope this works out for you.
Jenn - good luck with finding other options, must be free clinics that will test and I would think the HIV clinics will due to the numbers of persons with HIV who also have HCV. Hope this works out for you.
"Blood transfusions can transmit infections caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites. The chance of getting an infection from blood in the United States is extremely low, but the exact risk for each type of infection varies. Testing units of blood for signs of germs that can cause infections has made the blood supply very safe, but no test is 100% accurate."
"A 2009 study on hepatitis B in donated blood suggests that the risk is about 1 in every 350,000 units or less. About 1 blood transfusion in about 2 million may transmit hepatitis C"
http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/TreatmentTypes/BloodProductDonationandTransfusion/blood-product-donation-and-transfusion-possible-transfusion-risks
Low risk but not impossible.
"A 2009 study on hepatitis B in donated blood suggests that the risk is about 1 in every 350,000 units or less. About 1 blood transfusion in about 2 million may transmit hepatitis C"
http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/TreatmentTypes/BloodProductDonationandTransfusion/blood-product-donation-and-transfusion-possible-transfusion-risks
Low risk but not impossible.
not sure about other countries but here is the USA it is impossible for tainted blood to "slip" through. It goes through many fool proof tests & steps to ensure it cannot pass through.
Thank you all very much for you advice. I agree about the donating. I will call the health department on monday to see what i can do and also visit that site about the other clinics that may be able to help. Anything else that you or anyone can send my way will be greatly appreciated.
Even though I have a lot of respect for Copyman and consider him a friend, I am not a fan of anyone donating blood for a free test. There have been cases where contaminated blood has slipped through the system. If you are infected, the last thing you want to do is risk infecting someone else just for a free test.
There are very few places in the USA where free or low cost testing is available. I know you are scared but treating hep C is never an emergency. There are a couple of new drugs that should be approved sometime this spring. The companies that make these drugs are talking about offering free testing and even treatment to those with no insurance. I would keep checking back at this forum. I am sure you will hear about it here when it happens. In the mean time, you may find a free clinic near where you live at this site: http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/Search_HCC.aspx
Good luck.
Good luck.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis C Community
Learn about this treatable virus.
Getting tested for this viral infection.
3 key steps to getting on treatment.
4 steps to getting on therapy.
What you need to know about Hep C drugs.
How the drugs might affect you.
These tips may up your chances of a cure.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
Best of luck