CDC develops notification letters for HCV testing
[Editor’s note: As part of a national hepatitis C virus look-back program, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed several sample letters that can be used to notify former patients who may have been transfused HCV-infected blood before testing improvements in 1992. The letter below was designed to notify a prior transfusion recipient of a donor who later tested anti-HCV-RIBA-positive. Other sample letters and HCV materials are available at the CDC Web site (http://www.cdc.gov.ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/) or by calling the Hepatitis Hotline at (888) 443-7232.]
Dear [Name of Recipient]: A nationwide effort is now underway to identify people who may have been infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). One of the ways that HCV has been transmitted is through a blood transfusion. Our records show that you received blood that may have been infectious for HCV. This is NOT HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. HCV causes a liver disease called hepatitis C.
At the time you received this blood, screening tests to identify blood donors with hepatitis C either were not available or were less precise than they are now. The first screening test for hepatitis C became available in May 1990, and improved screening tests were put into use by July 1992. The person who donated the blood that you received came back to donate blood at a later time and tested positive for hepatitis C using these improved tests. Because most persons who test positive for hepatitis C have long-term HCV infection, this donor may have been infected with HCV at the time you were transfused. If the donor was infected with HCV at the time you were transfused, there are seven chances out of 10 that this donor’s blood could have spread HCV to you.
You should get tested for hepatitis C. Most persons who get hepatitis C carry the virus for the rest of their lives. Most of these persons have some liver damage but many do not yet feel sick from the disease. Of every 100 persons infected with HCV, about 15 persons will develop cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver which can lead to liver failure. This can take many years to develop. It is important that you get tested for hepatitis C so you can be checked for liver disease and get treatment, if indicated, and so you can protect your liver by avoiding substances that can cause further harm, such as alcohol and certain medicines. If you have hepatitis C, it is also important that you learn what actions you can take to avoid spreading this disease to others.
You are being contacted now because we have better tests to identify people with hepatitis C, better treatment for some people with hepatitis C, and better information about what people with hepatitis C can do to protect themselves and others. You can get tested for hepatitis C [at no charge by providing the case number at the top of this letter]. To arrange for this testing contact [insert contact and telephone number ]. Enclosed is general information about hepatitis C and places you can contact to get more information. [I will be happy to answer any questions that you may have.]
You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
- Award-winning Medical Content
- Latest Advances & Development in Medicine
- Unbiased Content