Follow up of blood donors positive for antibodies to hepatitis C virus

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Abstract
The hepatitis C virus has been identified as the main cause of post- transfusion hepatitis.1 Mandatory screening of blood donations for antibodies to hepatitis C virus was introduced by the National Blood Transfusion Service on 1 September 1991. Donors confirmed to be positive for antibodies to hepatitis C virus at the North London Blood Transfusion Centre are offered counselling by medical staff at the centre, who explain the relevance of the test results. They are then referred to their general practitioner. Current evidence suggests that many of the asymptomatic donors positive for antibodies to hepatitis C virus are chronic carriers, in whom the virus replicates.2 Probably some asymptomatic donors will progress to clinically significant, and possibly severe, liver disease in the future. Follow up of the donor by the general practitioner or hospital clinic, or both, will be influenced by information and advice given as a result of the initial counselling. To date there has been no information on the …

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