By PAUL HARASIM / RJ
A number of veterans as
well as doctors now
believe that Vietnam
veterans...could have
contracted hepatitis C
through unsafe jet gun
vaccinations.
While it’s possible the government’s position on transmission of hepatitis C among boomers may have resulted in less testing, it’s critical today boomers forget any fears of stigma and get the easy blood test.
The Health, Labor and Welfare
Ministry on Tuesday ordered a
pharmaceutical company to stop
the sale of an imported surgical
tissue adhesive after an elderly
man was found to have contracted
the hepatitis C virus after his
liver functions weakened
following an operation.
The man, who is in his 70s,
suffered decreased liver
function following an operation
in May last year, during which
the tissue adhesive Takokonbu
was used.
One of the basic ingredients
in Takokonbu is fibrinogen,
which is found in human blood,
and is culled from blood
supplies in the United States.
The adhesive is used to prevent
blood and other bodily fluids
from leaking from internal
organs during surgery. Takokonbu
has been shipped to medical
institutions throughout the
country.
