You have ever tested positive for HIV or hepatitis,
You have ever injected yourself with drugs or other substances not prescribed by a physician,
You are a man and have had sex with another man, even once, or is a 'high-risk' group for AIDS
You have hemophilia or another Blood clotting disorder and received clotting factor concentrate,
You have engaged in sex for drugs or money since 1977,
You have lived in western Europe since 1980,
You have been held in a correctional facility (including jails, prisons and/or detention centers) for more than 72 hours in the last 12 months,
You were born in, lived in or had sex with anyone who lived in, or received Blood products in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Niger or Nigeria since 1977 (this list changes frequently; updates are very important) or,
You are, or have been a sexual contact of someone in the above list.
Note, 1st sentence says have "have ever tested positive."
Brad
Margo said
Jun 14, 2012
Iris Dragonfly wrote:
Just wondered if the cure was good enuf for a blood donation. Maybe platelets?
Margo, I have not heard about breatfeeding being a no-no. I breast fed my daughter, and she is still clear. In fact the Dr.s encouraged it.
BB, Iris
Interesting Iris, I breastfed my older daughter for 3 months before I knew I was infected. I didn't my other 3 children. This info is everywhere and they discourage for baby's sake. We are lucky our kids are healthy.
Iris Dragonfly said
Jun 14, 2012
Just wondered if the cure was good enuf for a blood donation. Maybe platelets?
Margo, I have not heard about breatfeeding being a no-no. I breast fed my daughter, and she is still clear. In fact the Dr.s encouraged it.
BB, Iris
Margo said
Jun 13, 2012
TheY do check for hep virus now when you give blood, since it's so common now, that's how a lot of people learn that they are infected by giving blood.
Margo said
Jun 13, 2012
Phil G wrote:
I think they check for the antibodies, not the active virus, for giving blood. Don't know if the presence of the antibodies ever goes away.
Good point Phil, I think the antibodies stay forever since you have been exposed to the virus.
Phil G said
Jun 13, 2012
I think they check for the antibodies, not the active virus, for giving blood. Don't know if the presence of the antibodies ever goes away.
Margo said
Jun 13, 2012
However, I spoke to my doctor about future pregnancies and we all know that mothers with Hep C can't breastfeed due to high risks of exposure. I just wanted to get a feel from him what "cure" actually means and he said if the virus doesn't come back after 6 months after the treatment you considered to be cured and you can breast feed not worrying about infecting a baby. I was very pleased to hear that.
Margo said
Jun 13, 2012
The insurance will definitely be cheaper. My husband found out for me before the treatment and it was insanely high because of the Hep c. Let's see what they say now! Not sure about donating blood, but I wouldn't do it anyway knowing that I've had it before, what if this blood be donated to a child, it would just keep me constantly thinking regardless of the cure.
Scout said
Jun 13, 2012
I don't think we can give blood but not entirely sure. My wife gave the other day and the questionaire asked about exposure to Hep C. She isn't infected but obviously has been exposed. As far as life ins. well that's the reason I started this journey. I took a blood test when I applied for Life ins in '06 and the results came as a letter in the mail" You have Hep C and we can not cover you" Shocker. I've been told that once SVR for a period of time you can get coverage by some companies. As far as rates going up I really doubt they will be reduced they go up for me every year due to aging, risk factors etc. I'm self insured and it takes a bite out of the wallet for sure.
Iris Dragonfly said
Jun 13, 2012
Hi Folks, was reading about insurance and SVR. So... if you go sustained, does your insurance go down?, AND will you be able to get a life insurance policy??? I have already been turned down for life insurance years ago.
But now I guess my real question is, if one is "cured" can you donate blood???? BB, Iris
Hi Iris.
They do check for antibodies, and those don't go away, even if the "cure" is total and durable.
Below is from bloodbook.com:
DO NOT DONATE BLOOD IF:
Note, 1st sentence says have "have ever tested positive."
Brad
Just wondered if the cure was good enuf for a blood donation. Maybe platelets?
Margo, I have not heard about breatfeeding being a no-no. I breast fed my daughter, and she is still clear. In fact the Dr.s encouraged it.
BB, Iris
I think they check for the antibodies, not the active virus, for giving blood. Don't know if the presence of the antibodies ever goes away.
Not sure about donating blood, but I wouldn't do it anyway knowing that I've had it before, what if this blood be donated to a child, it would just keep me constantly thinking regardless of the cure.
Hi Folks, was reading about insurance and SVR. So... if you go sustained, does your insurance go down?, AND will you be able to get a life insurance policy??? I have already been turned down for life insurance years ago.
But now I guess my real question is, if one is "cured" can you donate blood???? BB, Iris