My dad has been told last week that he has Hep C. Only blood transfusion was done in 1960. Help

My father is 75 years old and is due for knee replacement surgery in early March. I guess its routine to donate
blood for your own surgery if it is needed. Well, the results came back from the first pint and they told him
that he has Hep C. Well, here I am a week later going nuts, sleepless and all of the above. My father had a
major surgery in 1960 (spinal fusion) and more than likely received a transfusion. So, 40 years later the infamous
Canadian Red Cross (Canadian Blood Services) now tell us he has tested positive for Hep C. He has
gone for another test and that also came back positive. But, I don't know what type of test it was. My dad's GP is
a moron so it may have just been a general test. What I would like to know is if my father has had this for
40 years, and shows no physical signs of Hep C problems, is it likely that it is dormant and will not cause him
a problem? Or could have his immune system fought it off when he contracted it in 1960 and now only traces
of hep c are visable?

Next question. So he meets my mother 20 years later and they make a kid, me. Can it be passed on to her and
me? She has never had any complaints of liver problems. But she does have a poor appetite. (has had a poor appetite
ever since I can remember) She has given her blood for testing on Monday and I have on Friday. No results in yet.
The obvious answer here that we should all be worried, but if its been in my dad for 40 years and he has no signs of
problems, and either does my mom, would it be safe to conclude that our immune systems have fought off
this horrible disease?

Sincerely,

Miles

• Re: My dad has been told last week that he has Hep C. Only blood transfusion was done in 1960. Help scot 21:20:35 2/29/00 (1)
  • Re: My dad has been told last week that he has Hep C. Only blood transfusion was done in 1960. Help Carolyn 01:37:41 3/01/00 (0)