Corona virus

[Tizzytintin]

Hi up till now I have been rather shy about posting, instead I read and learn from all you lovely people on this site. I have esld and I'm currently on the waiting list at the royal free. My question is has anyone heard if livers from corona virus victims are likely to be transplanted and what are the risks involved if so. I know it sounds like a silly question but I'm curious as they use hep c livers. Keep up the good work this site is invaluable and the support I have witnessed is amazing xx

[Laura009]

Hi Tizzytintin and welcome. Not a silly question... an interesting point however,

I would have thought it is far to early in the day for that to even be a consideration as the priority at this stage is halting the progession of the virus and finding a vaccine to wipe it out completely which could take many months. Once these initial challenges have been met, l have no doubt more scientific investigations will be carried out to confirm the possibilities of using organs from the poor victims of this disease.

Laura

[Tizzytintin in reply to Laura009]

Thank you for your reply it makes alot of sense xx

[ThreeSmiles]

Hi Tizzytintin

Please don’t be shy about posting! See you TP have started off with a very good question as Laura has said.

I have never seen it discussed yet either. One thing you can be sure off of is that they never take the slightest risk of giving anyone a liver unless the are 100% sure it’s a good one. I and many others on here can testify to that as, having got ready to go into theatre we have been told - no the liver isn’t “up to scratch”.

So no worries on that front, for sure.

Maybe, only if you want, you could tell us what brings you here - always useful if you ask any future questions.... 😀. ( Notice that you have been on here a year - nearly)

Miles

[ThreeSmiles in reply to ThreeSmiles]

Please ignore that “TP” in the second sentence- no idea where that came from!

[ThreeSmiles in reply to ThreeSmiles]

Oh and the “off” in the second paragraph.

We used to have this mantra where I worked which was “Get it right first time”.....hmm why is that attention to detail so eluding me these days - I will forever blame historical HE (I was going to say hysterical but HE is not to be made a mockery of, is it 😕) ...........

[Tizzytintin in reply to ThreeSmiles]

Hi I joined as I felt at a loss to understand alot of what I go through as I dont know anyone else personally with the disease. I have shut myself away from all my friends not telling them what's happening with me. Kept making arrangements and cancelling due to I'll health and was easier not to explain as I didn't know then what was wrong. I had NASH which progressed to large bleed leading to a TIPPS, now transplant needed . Wow that's long winded sorry.. I enjoy the friendly banter amongst the group and like that's its non judgemental and supportive xx

[ThreeSmiles in reply to Tizzytintin]

Ahh thanks for the info Tizzy. That’s not a long winded story at all - not for on here 😀.

You really should think about telling your friends - you know the saying a friend in need and all that!! I told everyone what I was going on! - and my wife most certainly did - I was often amazed when people asked me - how are you then Miles? What a surprise especially when they were wife’s work colleagues whom I didn’t know from Adam - who is Adam anyway? And what about Eve?

Anyway more seriously- sorry 👎 - how long have you been on the waiting list? Hope not too long and 🤞🤞 you get THE call soon.

Good luck Tizzy.

Miles

[Tizzytintin in reply to ThreeSmiles]

😊😊

[briccolone]

Hi there I'm certainly no expert but the evidence from Italy is that this Covid virus at very high levels attacks the organs , mainly lungs but other organs too. Whether this is to the extent that it renders livers unusable is a very good question. Thanks for posting.

[Kristian]

I do not think there's been any announcement on this but I would suggest it would be highly unlikely. Whilst livers from people who had viruses and recovered can be transplanted, these can cause complications in the recipient if they have no previous immunity to them. However where that's the case it's usually possible to give the recipient meds to counter that.

In the case of caronaviris there is currently no treatment. Also the fact that it can cause quick and deadly complications, particularly in those who are immune suppressed, means that's it's more likely that a liver from someone who's had coronavirus, or died from it, wont be considered suitable for use in transplants.

[summerc23]

I might be wrong and I apologise if I am, but I don’t believe England transplants Hep C livers, I think it’s only wales and possibly Scotland who do this at present, also organ transplant criteria is very strict and people dying from Covid 19 are mainly elderly and have other health conditions from what the media is saying

[Tizzytintin in reply to summerc23]

Hi I was asked if I would accept liver from hep b or hep c livers, I believe they give you a course of tablets after transplant to treat the hep c xx

[Hidden]

Hi and welcome,

You have raised some very important questions, so thank you.

We have no specific information about the use of Covid-19 livers. The NHS would always safeguard all patients and will be risk assessing the situation constantly.

At the moment all liver transplants are still taking place. However, this may need to be reviewed in the future if the virus escalates. We would suggest to keep in close contact with your liver transplant team who will be best placed to advise you.

Here is a link to the latest information we have on our website:

britishlivertrust.org.uk/co...

Take care

Trust1

[Tizzytintin in reply to Hidden]

Thank you xx

[Hidden]

Hi, I dont think they use any organs from Covid-19 patients, but I'm no expert

[Bootandall in reply to Hidden]

Hi there, how are you and your son doing? I hope he is feeling a bit better.

[Bootandall]

I don't know the answer, but l think it's an excellent question. I had Hep C for many many years before treatment. Now l have cirrhosis. I can honestly say that I wouldn't want a liver that was infected with any virus, even if it meant the end of me. But I don't speak for anyone else, and I'm not saying that you need to agree with me about it. 🤔