Do Hospital Run Blood work 3 1/2 Weeks After Discharged , And Not Tell The Patie!
Question: I Received Blood At The Hospital , 3 1/2 Weeks Ago. I Went In The Hospital Without Hept B, But Was Just Told I Now Have It. I'm Not In Any other Risk Category Other Than The Blood and Platelets I Received. And For The Hospital To Run The Test That Found The Hep B , Seem Odd To Me. Why Would They Look So Long After My Discharge . Not Even Telling Me. And I Have No Insurance So Unnecessary Tests Would Not Be Done. Am I Wrong In Thinking That They Might Have Known About Or Just Informed That Somehow The Blood Was Tainted?
Answers: I Received Blood At The Hospital , 3 1/2 Weeks Ago. I Went In The Hospital Without Hept B, But Was Just Told I Now Have It. I'm Not In Any other Risk Category Other Than The Blood and Platelets I Received. And For The Hospital To Run The Test That Found The Hep B , Seem Odd To Me. Why Would They Look So Long After My Discharge . Not Even Telling Me. And I Have No Insurance So Unnecessary Tests Would Not Be Done. Am I Wrong In Thinking That They Might Have Known About Or Just Informed That Somehow The Blood Was Tainted?
2 facts that are important to this discussion:
1. Hepatitis tests cannot, by definition, catch 100% of all hepatitis positive blood donations. That's why there is also questions about risk behaviors, etc. Some people may have been exposed to hepatitis and have some extremely low level of virus particles or antibody levels in their bloodstream, but is below the level that the tests can detect. The tests are very good but a 100% guarantee cannot be given.
2. Blood banks and blood donation centers employ a "look-back" program. They match up blood receipients who later test positive for hepatitis with patients who've received that person's blood in the past. If possible, additional testing may be performed. At a minimum, the patients physician is contacted with the information about a possible exposure.
I would have your local health department retest you (if possible) for hepatitis B antigen and antibody.
Hope this helps.
You would not have got it from the blood or platelets as its tested beforehand to check for that. The results for hep 'b' take a while, so maybe you have always carried it?