How I Got Mine

[Magnum]

I'm curious to know how some people contracted Hep C. I had multiple hip replacements prior to 1992. Before 1992, there was no definitive test for Hep C in the blood donor pool.

I had several blood transfusions prior to 1992. I never did drugs or contacted anyone who was bleeding (no rough sex). So, the doctor deduced that the blood transfusion was the cause for my Hep C. How about you?

Magnum

[jmjm530]

Andy,

My understanding is that 60-80% of all IV drug users in the United States have Hepatitis C. I'm not saying that dental trasmission doesn't exist, but if it did to the extent you suggest, I'd expect to see much higher per cent of the non IV drug user population with the virus. The way I see it, IV drug almost statistically assures that you will get Hep C while going to the dentist falls somewhere below unprotected sex with someone infected. And from what I've read on these boards, IV drug use in the 60's and 70's has put a lot of people here. Just one man's opinion.

-- Jim

[andyarundel]

The info I presented you may find insulting, but as one has spent countless hours writing and presenting tainted blood appeals, who has spent countless hours digging out facts that would hold up in a court of law, I can assure you if there was significant evidence that there was blood infected with the HCV virus after 1980 in the United States, there would be lawyers lined up around the block begging those persons infected to let them act on their behalf. There has been suits directed at certain individuals and corporate entities with regard to the sale and shipment of blood and blood products that were tainted with HCV. One person from Armor drug also faces criminal charges in Canada dealing with this issue.

As for liver enzyme levels recorded from registered addicts in England, it is one of the few data bases those advocating for those who are seeking compensation have to support those seeking compensation in Canada, Scotland and other countries where tainted blood products were sold to deflect the argument that many were infected via previous drug use in the 60

[scubadiver30]

Andy:
I think you hit the nail right on the head. I'm one of those that inhaled blow in the 70's and I keep blaming myself for those crazy 2 years.  But then again, I've never drank and I keep a healthy lifestyle since 1982. However I have had 3 root canals and they were done by 2 different dentists. And like you said..How do I know about their previous patients in their workstations? How do we know about their sanitazing and cleaning procedures? If word got out no one would go to the dentist...
Last year I went to a new dentist (even before I got dx) and she asked all kind of questions like Have u had Hep? or any bloodborne disease? questions like that..I asked why was she asking so much, just routine she said..... So now I'm sure they know about the possibility of nosocomial infection and they treat every newcomer as a potential zero patient..See what I mean?
And here in Spain 237 people got infected in the OR by a doctor called Maeso..
So I think there are more nocosomial infections that the medical community would like to accept


Connie: I'm sorry for your loss. You're in my thoughts. I know what you're going thru because I lost a loved one last year.
sentido p

[mistybean]

IV drugs in the late 70's in San Jose, CA .  I was around 17 years old at the time.  Was also infected with B but would not find out about that infection untill 20 years latter.

[nanniegea]

I want to thank you all for your kind words and thoughts. This has to be the hardest thing I've ever been through and it's not over yet!!!

Goofydad-- Thank you so much for your generous offer...you are more than kind. I will take you up on your offer to talk. My family are not the most supportive kind of people I know...isn't that sad!!!

Cuteus, It very well may be that he didn't say anything. I know he wanted to stay in the trial because of finances and wanting to get rid of the virus. This is something that I will check into.

Kathy,Fresno,Beamishboy,cquest,Cuteus, thank you all for your support. I hope that you ALL are doing ok.  Beamish, if you feel like you are losing it, PLEASE, tell your doctor and do whatever you can to get these feelings under control.

Please forgive me if I left anyone out. I want to wish everyone on this forum happy holidays and good health.

                Love and blessings,
                  Nannieg, aka connie

[wMich]

I probably contracted the HCV virus from sharing needles/IV drug use between 1972 and 1987. I've been clean since '87 and have been treating the little buggers for 21 weeks now......