Hepatitis C?

Question

How many people who use this site have, like me, received blood transfusions in the UK, through the NHS, long before screeening for Hep C was introduced? I'd like to inform those in the USA that in the UK, blood screening for such things as HIV and Hep C was not done before 1991/2 because, these problems did not exist back then.

As for compensation, how can anyone be compensated for an illness that was not known about back then.

Anita Roddick contracted Hep C thirty-five years ago through blood transfusion. She will accept medical help and if necessary, says, she will accept a liver transplant.

I plan to go for tests. I had blood transfusions (5 pints plasma and 4 of blood, a lot of it imported from the USA) during 1977 when at 20 weeks, I miscarried a son... and lost my life's blood in the process. I joke that I had a complete 'oil' change:-)

I've been blessed with 30 extra years of life since, and seen my children grow up. I will never blame or seek recompence.

Neither will I, at rising 62 years of age, seek to prolong my life, by medical interference.

A life that I consider is not mine, or other peoples, to try and improve. I have been fortunate to get this far.

As a Christian, I accept God's choices for my time span on this earth, and pray only, that, the son I bore six years later, will be safe from contamination of Hep C, he, is the only reason I'm going to be tested... to find out for him.

I consider I was VERY lucky to have been given back my life by donors of blood and plasma wherever they were are from. I was ten minutes from death, according to the medics. They pumped it in by hand, straight from the fridge, before they could take me up to theatre. God was it freezing cold, the blankets were a foot deep and useless! Whatever came inside it, whoever gave it, for whatever reasons, whether it was altruistic, or for money to buy food, I am eternally grateful to them. They would not have known in 1977 Hep C was being passed along.

If it's in me, I do NOT afford blame to anyone. If it's in my son, it hurts, but I know he is still young enough to receive treatment, that can kill it off, I've researched it well.

My ancestor William Penn, founded parts of the US... so I guess I've now got some American in me... and for 30 years, its worked. So thanks:-)

Somehow, sometime, somewhere, I'll die, of something... it's not quantity, but quality that counts.

I'm truly sorry to hear about your mother-in-law and I am glad she is able to have that little bit of help. But money cannot cure her, sadly.

Until yesterday, I believed people speaking of compensation were seeking to blame the suppliers/importers of blood from years ago, and the hospitals in the UK, who used it.

I personally have never sought revenge for anything and would/could not seek to blame them myself, nor, chase them for money if I am found to be positive.

I only knew yesterday, by going to Anita roddick's website, that the UK Gov is paying automatic compensation for contracting Hep C from blood transfusions on the NHS...

As it's the Gov paying, I am quite happy with that, since they've not put their hands in their pockets much, for the ordinary person.

Lets hope the sufferers/victims/families of the many hospital bugs, and the war in Iraq, all come under the same rules!

If I have it, yes, I'll claim it, for my son... but it cant change things for me!

Answer 1

I guess you have to weigh it up - if without the blood/plasma intervention the person would have died then i dont believe its right to seek compensation. If it was a known risk however and an option then that is a different matter entirely. Its just like the haemophliacs who have contracted aids through blood - its not their fault but i dont think they get any compensation.

Answer 2

My sister in laws mother caught Hep C from a blood transfusion, and she will die because of it. She is in tremendous pain every single day because of this illness, and I don't begrudge her getting compensation so that she can make her final months a little easier.

Answer 3

C is my best disease. I love it,.