[shcisamax]

Gerryann: Currently undergoing formal pre-clinical studies, the vaccine is the result of a breakthrough work done by Heidi Drummer, Associate Professor from Burnet Institute.


There are some phase one clinical studies going on in the UK and Europe at the moment, looking at some different approaches. Our vaccine uses a completely different technology to those vaccines that have been previously trialled and those in trial at the moment, Drummer said.

It doesn't sound like they have gotten a vaccine quite yet. I assume what they are doing is not giving a vaccine but rather testing for it because there are millions of people who have it and don't know.

The problem with Hep C is you can have gotten it from a transfusion before mid 1992 or can still from something as unexpected as manicures although they are getting much better about sterilization. The blood issue may have started out from someone taking intravenous drugs but they may have given it to a partner or someone else. Once it moves to a new person, you just never know.

[createquilts]

If you go to the red cross and donate blood you might save a life, quite possibly your own. They screen for the following infections. I will ask next time I donate if this test qualifies as the screening you would comparably get at a physician office:

HepC
Hepb
HIV
Syphillis
West Nile

plus you get goodies like cookies afterwards and our center has little gifts, like January is a pound of Dunkin Donuts coffee month, last month was a free half gallon of Friendlies ice cream and sometimes I get t-shirts.

Most important of all, when people have trauma or diseases you could save a life through your blood donations. Sign up today. It's easy and takes less than an hour.