Hepatitis C is the leading cause of liver failure and is a recognized precursor to cancer of the liver, taking nearly 10,000 Americans every year. In the meantime, the virus can be transferred to others, primarily by sexual intercourse. Anyone with hepatitis C is a considered a lifelong carrier. It is made by extracting human proteins from plasma. Plasma is obtain from blood donors by centrifuging donated blood, separating the plasma and returning the red blood cells to the donor.
Plasma donors can sell or provide plasma several times a week.
At that time Baxter withdrew both drugs due to possible contamination with hepatitis C virus. Not everyone who received either gamma globulin product will develop hepatitis. For those who have been exposed, early diagnosis and treatment increases the chances for a positive outcome. It is unknown how successful that notification effort has been. Nationwide litigation has developed as a result of the injuries and exposures caused by this contaminated drug.