JPAC Joint United Kingdom (UK) Blood Transfusion and Tissue Transplantation Services Professional Advisory Committee
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  5. 1. Affected Individual

1. Affected Individual

Obligatory

Must not donate.

Discretionary

If the individual has been told that he/she is HCV antibody negative, then samples should be taken to determine eligibility.

See if Relevant

Liver Disease

Tissues Safety Entry

Additional Information

Hepatitis C is a serious viral infection that can lead to chronic liver disease, liver cancer (hepatoma) and chronic fatigue syndrome. It has also been linked with malignant lymphomas and autoimmune disease. The infection is very easily spread by transfusion.

Individuals who are chronically infected are sometimes referred to as 'carriers'. They often have no, or minimal, symptoms associated with their infection.

Many cases are linked to previous drug use and, before the introduction of HCV screening of blood donations, to transfusion.

Individuals who have had Hepatitis C infection in the past, and have been told that they have been successfully treated, will usually remain HCV antibody positive for many years. As a negative HCV antibody screening test is required before their donation can be issued, their tissues/cells cannot be used.

Reason for Change

'Additional Information' has been added.