Blood test - terrified of the result :(

Basically, I gave blood a few months ago. This morning, I received a letter from the blood service.. people, which basically said that my blood had been used for an operation, and the patient had later developed Hepatitis B.
Mine was one of 70 pints of blood used, so the infected blood could have come from anywhere, really. Anywho, I had to get a blood test today, to make sure that it wasn't me.

I am absolutely terrified that i've got hepatitis B.
I mean.. I won't be able to have children (who would want to be in a relationship with someone that carries the hep B virus?)
I won't be able to get health insurance, or do certain jobs.
Not to mention the fact that hepatitis B can be lethal in some cases.

:frown:

and right now i'm trying my best not to cry. My boyfriend keeps reassuring me that i haven't got it, and telling me not to be so stupid. But I can't help but think that he's being horrible - I can't help but worry, and the fact is, he doesn't know if I have it or not. I know that he would be in a similar state to how I am, if it were him in my position.

So basically, I just want some advice on what to do.
And just someone to talk to I guess.
Does anyone know someone who has hep B?
I'm just horrified that this could happen, you know?

:frown:

Reply 1

PatchTheCatch

I know this sounds kinda not very helpful but you should try not to focus on it. I donn't really know much about it except that it exists not sure if these are actually sensible statistics but if you're one of 70 pints then thats like 1-70 chance of being the person which is a very low risk. I would like to add as your boyfriend says you probably don't and it's nice he is reassuring you not abandoning you like some crack heads would, and even IF you do (which I doubt) there are so many advancements in medical technology and what not so seriously try not to worry focus on something positive whilst it may be hard just try confide in your boyfriend and family because if they care (which I'm sure they do) they will let you haemorage your worries until there are no worries left ^^, excuse the graphic metaphor also might not be totally appropriate sorry.
Now remember the great words of a great musician "don't worry, be happy"
I hope everything turns out great and I hope my words have been soothing, if not at leasat it's taken your mind off it long enough to read them ^^.
Patrick.
p.s. I'm sure you will be fine

Reply 2

The_Bear

It's not even 1 in 70. To be honest they are only screening the donors for legal reasons. Wouldn't worry about it.

Reply 3

TheShrimp

I feel sorry for the patient....

Good Luck OP

Reply 4

Anonymous #2

TheShrimp

I feel sorry for the patient....

Good Luck OP

Me too - hope they will be ok :frown:

Try not to worry to much - sure you won't have it :smile:

Reply 5

Louise88

I know it's easier said than done but try not to get ahead of yourself, try not to get all worked up because chances are, it wont be you. Try and stay calm and not look into it much, look at the numbers involved and remember that everyone else is going through the same thing as you so you aren't alone.

If it were the case and you did have Hep B then deal with it when it comes, not when you are still unsure of the results because right now, you are just working yourself up. Wait until you know whats going on and deal with it in the appropriate way...

Reply 6

Couldxbe

Surely they should screen blood donations before putting blood into the patient? I mean really, it's just irresponsible otherwise.

Reply 7

Anonymous #2

Couldxbe

Surely they should screen blood donations before putting blood into the patient? I mean really, it's just irresponsible otherwise.

I thought they did - obviously not on this occasion :s-smilie:

Reply 8

Couldxbe

Exactly, which means that as said above they just need to prove that it wasn't their fault. Don't worry yourself about it.

Reply 9

Helenia

Couldxbe

Surely they should screen blood donations before putting blood into the patient? I mean really, it's just irresponsible otherwise.

They do. But with any infection there's an incubation period where you're carrying it but it doesn't show up on any tests. So there's a very very small risk that a sample that tests "clean" is actually contaminated, but this risk is reduced as much as possible by all the screening questions they ask donors as well as the tests they do after donation.

Anyway, to the OP, it's very unlikely that it's you that has it. Assuming you haven't done any of the things the blood service doesn't like you doing, your risk is very low. Really don't worry about not having children etc right away (besides, that's not true anyway) - in all likelihood you're not infected.

Reply 10

Anonymous #1

they screened them all, but apparantly hep B takes a few weeks to show - meaning that a test can test negative, when hepatitis is present.

Hmm. although i'm not 100% sure that they actually do test every single donation, as it would be quite expensive.

i too feel sorry for the patient, although to require 70 pints of blood for an operation, would mean that it was horrifically serious. And i suppose it's better to be alive with hepatitis, than dead.

Reply 11

IzzyWizzy

Is Hep B that bad? I was tested for it a few weeks ago and I didn't look it up online cos I didn't want to freak myself out while waiting for the results - mine came back negative anyway.

Reply 12

Anonymous #3

Oooh I wouldnt worry.. Unless you were with a person with hepatites B or something... so Chances are its not you :smile:

Plus IF it turned out you have it which i dont think.. people who are really close to you like bf or familly wouldnt *not want anything to do with you* cuz for them its just to take a vaccin., it is available ..

Reply 13

Periphescence

Ah, I get my blood tests tomorrow, 3 syringes which should tell whether I have:
Heliobacter Pylori
Anaemia
Liver and Bone cancer.

Not really looknig forward to it, but all my mind I've done things that will take my mind off thinking about it. Coursework takes me mind off it, and watching House, the best tv show in the world took my mind off it (ironically)

I hope everything's fine for you.
Do you know when you get the results?

Reply 14

stepheh

ahh, i can't be bothered to remain anonymous anymore.

Umm, well, i'm going to rome on monday, so i'll get my results when i get back.. on friday.

I've been thinking about it and.. i don't think i could have it. I don't have any symptoms, and i've never been in contact with anyone that has it, or done drugs or anything.

I'm sure your results will be ok [= - why did you need the blood tests?

and i agree, house is the best show ever [= [=

Reply 15

Anonymous #3

stepheh

Umm, well, i'm going to rome on monday, so i'll get my results when i get back.. on friday.

Eeeeh then you should try not to think about it and enjoy your trip :wink:

Reply 16

Periphescence

Ah, another House lover, excellent. They're few and far between these days...

The tests were because I have a pain in my "upper abdomen" all the time, stops me from concentrating in lessons and exams etc. I had medication for it last year, but it came back...

Now I have to have an 8 week course of Omeprazole, hopefully should sort it. The doctor wanted to test for H pylori because my mother had it, complete with 2 stomach ulcers.
He didn't tell me WHY cancer though, the nurse threw that one at me as she was tourniqueting up my arm...

Also, if you don't have any symptoms and feel perfectly ok, then there should be nothing to worry about :smile:

Reply 17

IzzyWizzy

Well have you ever had unprotected sex? That's the most obvious way to get it aside from doing drugs.

Reply 18

Trexx

Should be a lot to think about but just put it to one side until friday comes

Reply 19

RetiredAccount89

You can't test for H.Pylori with a blood test.
and why a differential for 'anaemia' would include 'liver cancer' in a youth, i don't know. Some idiot phlebs (and doctors for that matter) don't realise their off the cuff throw away comments are taken seriously.

And OP - you should realise that 90% of HepB contracted as adults is an acute reaction. That is to say you have it, then clear it. you don't become a chronic carrier. This contrasts to HepC where 90% of the infected do become carriers/chronically infected...