Anyone who received a blood transfusion prior to 1992 should be tested for it as it was not being screened for before that time. It is estimated that over a quarter of a million people got HCV from transfusions before that time and that over 4 million Americans have contracted the virus from one source or another. As a result, many physicians do not diagnose the disease until it has so severely damaged the liver that fluid accumulation and jaundice are evident. At that time, options are limited.
Early diagnosis presents more possibilities for treatment.
If the condition is not diagnosed until the latter stages, a liver transplant is the only hope. The following links may provide more information. If you know of any that are not working, please let me know. Also, let me know of other relevant sites to add. Your Liver, Your Health 36.