It wouldn’t be my first choice if there was another, better option. However, if it meant living or dying, I’d take SVR blood without complaint. They are increasing the use of HCV+ organs now, with great success in post TP treatment. Sure isn’t like it used to be, eh? I hope we see great strides going forward in this area.
LamontCranston said
Dec 12, 2018
It can be an awkward thing when the blood drive comes to your place of employment.
I had Hep A back in the 80's, so that ended my donation days.
Then I got MS, so I have 2 strikes.
Then dx'd with Hep C...
Anyway, now I do a service by NOT donating my blood. Think of all the people we have helped!
-- Edited by LamontCranston on Wednesday 12th of December 2018 08:02:26 PM
-- Edited by LamontCranston on Wednesday 12th of December 2018 08:02:44 PM
Tig said
Jul 27, 2018
Hi Iris,
You present a very good question and there are some that are on both sides of the spectrum. Generally speaking, blood donation is still not accepted, unless it’s an autologous donation, or to yourself. Now, organ donation is different. The medical community, realizing how easy Hep C treatment is today, will accept donar organs from HCV + or SVR patients, IF the recipient and physician approves and/or the situation is urgent. Blood donation hasn’t been so widely accepted because SVR is sustained, not non existent. So, even though our own chances of relapse are almost nil, the medical community isn’t ready to give us a green light to donate blood to others that are HCV -. There are a number of things that disqualify people from blood and organ donation. It’s not because you’re a “germ”! You are a very caring and compassionate person, so don’t be too hard on yourself. Times are changing and I hope we will all be able to donate anything we want in the near future!
Iris Dragonfly said
Jul 27, 2018
So I was curious, Has this changed at all?? Is it true even with the newer treatments that we cannot donate blood?
I had heard we can still donate some part of it? Platelets or something? Anyway I would presume one could warehouse their own blood for elective surgery, but what about unelected?
I don't know why one couldn't donate with the knowledge we had achieved SVR via (insert method) only to be donated to others who also have the same genotype?? wouldn't that make sense?
In any case it has always been so disturbing to feel like a "germ", I had to register with the health department when I first got ill back in 1978, I felt like a criminal. I was always isolated when at the hospital, no one could enter without a gown, That was esp. hard when my daughter was born, she was isolated too. I was reluctant to tell anyone I had this disease, even now a few folks have caught wind of my treatment and ask for what, I don't want to say. Even in my spiritual group which is where I openly shared what was going on, had one person disappear after that, coincidence? She hadn't made any mention of going anywhere. But I digress,
Would really love to give blood, Tig you mentioned donor of parts, would that be approved through the DMV, or how would that work?
BB, Iris
Pablito said
Jun 15, 2016
Look at it differently Sis. We are the ones who will defeat this Virus. Eradicate and contain. Most were infected in ignorance. Knowledge is power. ;)
JimmyK
As always Jimmy, your words and sentiments are spot on.
wendyo said
Jun 15, 2016
Very true Jimmy and yes Tig, here's hoping for that in the future
Tig said
Jun 15, 2016
So true Wendy... We've got all of our Blood Mobile's lined up and asking for donors too. The best we can do is ask our friends and family to get out and do it. We can still do that for them. I did read an article recently and some doctors are now recommending/allowing us to donate our organs again. It's up to the transplant surgeon and patient whether or not to accept our donated tissues. With the advances in HCV treatment, I wouldn't hesitate to accept a donated organ that was in good shape from a HCV + individual. Especially if the donor was in a SVR status. Considering the option of not accepting it when you likely are in need of it in a hurry, there isn't much to consider. Maybe one of these days this will apply to the blood supply again. I don't see that happening anytime soon, but who knows, they might come up with a way to make it brand new!
JimmyK said
Jun 15, 2016
wendyo wrote:
I know this is an older thread but I just need to say it burns me up that I cannot donate blood when I am an hour and a half away from the tragedy in Orlando and have AB-
Look at it differently Sis. We are the ones who will defeat this Virus. Eradicate and contain. Most were infected in ignorance. Knowledge is power. ;)
JimmyK
wendyo said
Jun 15, 2016
I know this is an older thread but I just need to say it burns me up that I cannot donate blood when I am an hour and a half away from the tragedy in Orlando and have AB-
Carolinca said
Jul 3, 2013
That makes sense, thanks for the info!
Cinnamon Girl said
Jul 3, 2013
Hi Carol, that`s right, you can`t ever donate blood again after having hep c, even after SVR. That`s because the antibodies will always be there in our blood stream and will show up in blood tests.
Even when we are considered `cured` it`s possible we still could have a very low level of virus, too low to be detected in a PCR test, and which our immune systems are keeping at bay. So the general advice post tx is to carry on acting as though you could still pass it on to someone else through blood contact, even though of course that would be highly unlikely. It`s just a sensible precaution, that`s all.
Carolinca said
Jul 3, 2013
I read that SVR patients still cannot donate blood? If someone is HCV negative after treatment and SVR, why can't they donate blood?
Also, if someone is HCV negative after treatment and SVR, can they still give the virus to others through blood to blood contact? If so, why
It wouldn’t be my first choice if there was another, better option. However, if it meant living or dying, I’d take SVR blood without complaint. They are increasing the use of HCV+ organs now, with great success in post TP treatment. Sure isn’t like it used to be, eh? I hope we see great strides going forward in this area.
It can be an awkward thing when the blood drive comes to your place of employment.
I had Hep A back in the 80's, so that ended my donation days.
Then I got MS, so I have 2 strikes.
Then dx'd with Hep C...
Anyway, now I do a service by NOT donating my blood. Think of all the people we have helped!
-- Edited by LamontCranston on Wednesday 12th of December 2018 08:02:26 PM
-- Edited by LamontCranston on Wednesday 12th of December 2018 08:02:44 PM
Hi Iris,
You present a very good question and there are some that are on both sides of the spectrum. Generally speaking, blood donation is still not accepted, unless it’s an autologous donation, or to yourself. Now, organ donation is different. The medical community, realizing how easy Hep C treatment is today, will accept donar organs from HCV + or SVR patients, IF the recipient and physician approves and/or the situation is urgent. Blood donation hasn’t been so widely accepted because SVR is sustained, not non existent. So, even though our own chances of relapse are almost nil, the medical community isn’t ready to give us a green light to donate blood to others that are HCV -. There are a number of things that disqualify people from blood and organ donation. It’s not because you’re a “germ”! You are a very caring and compassionate person, so don’t be too hard on yourself. Times are changing and I hope we will all be able to donate anything we want in the near future!
So I was curious, Has this changed at all?? Is it true even with the newer treatments that we cannot donate blood?
I had heard we can still donate some part of it? Platelets or something? Anyway I would presume one could warehouse their own blood for elective surgery, but what about unelected?
I don't know why one couldn't donate with the knowledge we had achieved SVR via (insert method) only to be donated to others who also have the same genotype?? wouldn't that make sense?
In any case it has always been so disturbing to feel like a "germ", I had to register with the health department when I first got ill back in 1978, I felt like a criminal. I was always isolated when at the hospital, no one could enter without a gown, That was esp. hard when my daughter was born, she was isolated too. I was reluctant to tell anyone I had this disease, even now a few folks have caught wind of my treatment and ask for what, I don't want to say. Even in my spiritual group which is where I openly shared what was going on, had one person disappear after that, coincidence? She hadn't made any mention of going anywhere. But I digress,
Would really love to give blood, Tig you mentioned donor of parts, would that be approved through the DMV, or how would that work?
BB, Iris
As always Jimmy, your words and sentiments are spot on.
Very true Jimmy and yes Tig, here's hoping for that in the future
So true Wendy... We've got all of our Blood Mobile's lined up and asking for donors too. The best we can do is ask our friends and family to get out and do it. We can still do that for them. I did read an article recently and some doctors are now recommending/allowing us to donate our organs again. It's up to the transplant surgeon and patient whether or not to accept our donated tissues. With the advances in HCV treatment, I wouldn't hesitate to accept a donated organ that was in good shape from a HCV + individual. Especially if the donor was in a SVR status. Considering the option of not accepting it when you likely are in need of it in a hurry, there isn't much to consider. Maybe one of these days this will apply to the blood supply again. I don't see that happening anytime soon, but who knows, they might come up with a way to make it brand new!
Look at it differently Sis. We are the ones who will defeat this Virus. Eradicate and contain. Most were infected in ignorance. Knowledge is power. ;)
JimmyK
I know this is an older thread but I just need to say it burns me up that I cannot donate blood when I am an hour and a half away from the tragedy in Orlando and have AB-
That makes sense, thanks for the info!
Hi Carol, that`s right, you can`t ever donate blood again after having hep c, even after SVR. That`s because the antibodies will always be there in our blood stream and will show up in blood tests.
Even when we are considered `cured` it`s possible we still could have a very low level of virus, too low to be detected in a PCR test, and which our immune systems are keeping at bay. So the general advice post tx is to carry on acting as though you could still pass it on to someone else through blood contact, even though of course that would be highly unlikely. It`s just a sensible precaution, that`s all.
I read that SVR patients still cannot donate blood? If someone is HCV negative after treatment and SVR, why can't they donate blood?
Also, if someone is HCV negative after treatment and SVR, can they still give the virus to others through blood to blood contact? If so, why
is this if someone is negative of the virus?
Thanks,
Carol