Hepatitis C Antibody Positive Donors

If a donor tests positive for the hepatitis C antibody, doctors do more tests to check if the virus is in the blood. Unlike hepatitis B, it is very common for these donors to have the virus in their blood. These organs are only offered to patients who already have hepatitis C.

Research shows that getting a kidney from a hepatitis C positive donor does not lower a patient’s or kidney’s survival for up to ten years after transplant. However, there may still be some risk, especially if the donor’s type of virus is different from the patients. Based on current research, the risk of a poor outcome is low, so transplant is still considered a good choice.

Patients with hepatitis C may get a transplant sooner because they can accept organs that might not otherwise be used. Patients must agree ahead of time if they want to be offered a hepatitis C positive organ. Saying yes will not lower their chances of getting an organ from any other donor.