Medical Risks to Surgical Patients from Tainted Tissue

Reputable transplant donor services use strict procedures to ensure that the tissues they provide are completely safe before transplanting them into awaiting recipient bodies. These tissue banks frequently use radiation, antibacterial solutions, and antiviral drugs in order to prevent the spread of communicable diseases, along with documentation that declares the donor body was free of potential contagions. Tragically, however, this is not always the case. If tissues are not properly screened, the recipient can suffer from a variety of health consequences.

HIV 1 and 2 (AIDS)

Perhaps the most serious medical risk to victims of tainted tissue is the threat of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV. HIV is the main contributing factor of the deadly Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, or AIDS. Although most clinics and hospitals routinely screen for these diseases, it is possible that ill-gotten or stolen tissue could potentially carry a virus that can be spread throughout the host body.

Hepatitis A, B, and C

Hepatitis is a disease caused by a viral infection that can cause a number of serious conditions, including inflammation and cirrhosis of the liver. Hepatitis A is an acute infection that can cause nausea, fever, jaundice, fatigue, stomach ache, and vomiting. Hepatitis B is a much more severe disease, and can have a prolonged chronic phase. Acute hepatitis B is very similar to hepatitis A, but chronic hepatitis B can cause serious damage to the liver and advanced cases can increase the chances of liver cancer.

Hepatitis C (HVC) is split into chronic and acute phases as well, but can cause dramatically more dangerous complications. Many people with acute HCV have no external symptoms, though the infection can cause jaundice, fatigue, and abdominal pain, but acute HCV can become chronic after six months. Chronic HVC can cause severe liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and organ failure if left untreated.

Syphilis

At one time syphilis was one of the most common and most feared of all sexually transmitted diseases. It can cause an enormous number of symptoms, and if left untreated it can cause blindness, insanity, skin lesions, nervous system damage, and even death. Victims of tainted tissue samples should consult their medical professionals if they begin to exhibit early signs of the disease.

Other Infections and Diseases

Almost any infectious disease that resides in the body can be transmitted through tainted tissue samples. Doctors believe that diseases like leukemia, cancer and Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (Mad Cow Disease), as well as microorganism, fungal, and bacterial infections that take a long time to develop, could potentially threaten victims of tainted tissue transplants, although there has been no evidence of these diseases thus far.

If you or someone you love developed a serious medical condition due to a tainted tissue transplant or other medical procedure, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your traumatic experience. Let a dedicated and experienced attorney help you get the answers and the compensation you deserve – contact someone immediately.