Hepatitis C Support Group

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral disease which can cause liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by blood-to-blood contact with an infected person's blood. Many people with HCV infection have no symptoms and are unaware of the need to seek treatment. Hepatitis C infects an estimated 150-200 million people worldwide.

426 Members
21,304 Posts
0 Online
Gastrointestinal System
/ Hepatitis C Support Group

when did the hcv test come out

clovers
clovers
curious, when did they start testing for hcv and what about all the blood donated before that test came to play..
WarriorGal
WarriorGal
1992. I am sure it's all been long destroyed.
WarriorGal
WarriorGal
another source says :

In 1990 blood banks began screening blood donors for hepatitis C. In 1992 a blood test was developed to effectively screen blood before it was transfused.

In the 1960s and 70s the virus was actually identified. Scientists found blood tests to detect the hepatitis B infection in 1963 and hepatitis A in 1973.
LoveEachOther
LoveEachOther
Then, when they found Hep C, it was first labeled as Hepatitis Non-A, Non-B, correct?
deleted_user
deleted_user
Exactly right Love and docs did not even realize it was dangerous
joemz20
joemz20
Then, when they found Hep C, it was first labeled as Hepatitis Non-A, Non-B, correct? "

Not exactly. What they found was a virus that they knew wasn't A or B, but didn't identify it as a "C" for a long time.

I got "not A/not B" in 1969 and it was classified as "C" for many years

Probably until the 90's I thought I HAD (like in the past) notA/notB, and treated it like Strep I had it once, I don't have it anymore, interesting part of my history. Wow, was I wrong