Is transplanting a donor hep-c liver to a hep-c recipient legal?

Question

Proffesionals in the field only need to reply, last time I asked about this, I got mainly crackpot answers,everything from "whats the difference you are F***ed anyway so who cares" to people answered quoting TV doctor shows that they believe are factual. I am looking for the straight dope on this.

Answer 1

It is illegal. I know it sounds stupid, because the person is already infected, but they will not do it. Not because they would have to be immunosuppressed, because people with Hep-C are immunosuppressed... (usually white counts less than 1,500. Thats panic value in healthy individuals. But i am sure lots of questions come to rise then.

Answer 2

Hi
I'm not a professional but my understanding is that you can not be a donor if you have a contagious disease. My friend's mother had Hep C and when she died the family wanted to donate her organs and were told that they could not be used because she was Hep C positive. I would check with the American Medical Assoc. in your state. It doesn't sound right to me.

Answer 3

It is legal....doctors hesitate to do this tho, because a transplant leaves the recipient with immune suppressive drugs to take to avoid rejection, hepatitis c in an immune suppressed person tends to accelerate and kill them. So, truly, what is the point? All that work, just to die anyway.

Answer 4

What would be the use?Both of them are infected and will soon give out.Plus it is against the law to implant any organ that has a contagious disease,even if the other person has the same disease.The person will still be ill with the same disease that he is treating.

Answer 5

I doubt it unless you sign all kinds of waivers. But with all due respect - are you looking to transplant for a liver in less diseased state?

Answer 6

nope.........stupid rule I know but it is illegal

Answer 7

TDKTUK