[Post-transfusion hepatitis C. From screening to compensation]

Abstract

In France, during the last decades preceding the 1990s, 100,000 to 400,000 blood recipients may have been infected by hepatitis C. Since 1990, thanks to advances in transfusion safety, the risk of hepatitis C contamination has become extremely low. Given the natural history of the disease, it can be a long time unnoticed. Thus, even today, a significant part of infected individuals do not know their serological status. Through several periods and several campaigns, we present the various means used for the detection of post-transfusion hepatitis C at the Caen University Hospital. These methods have been introduced as a result of legislation or through arrangements made by the institution. They were made possible through the action of haemovigilance system, monitoring adverse reactions related to blood products and of blood products traceability which helps to realise special researches in case of suspected transfused blood products. In addition to posttransfusion hepatitis C detection, we are discussing available victim ways to be indemnified for the injury suffered by contamination by hepatitis C.