Blackpool mum tells her story for Infected Blood Inquiry

A woman from Blackpool is taking part in an enquiry about individuals who received contaminated blood transfusions since the 1970s.

Since September 2020, the predominant focus of the evidence heard by the Inquiry has been the treatment and care of patients with haemophilia and other bleeding disorders.
 
However from now until the end of February 2022 the Inquiry will hear evidence relating to the blood and transfusion services across the UK, as well as blood transfusion policy and practice.

Those involved will be questioned by counsel to the inquiry about how and why thousands of people were given contaminated blood through transfusions needed for routine treatment, during surgery or because of a sudden deterioration in their health, with life-changing results. 

Dawn Zerbatini is just one of hundreds telling their story as part of the Infected Blood Enquiry.

Dawn Zerbatini from Blackpool contracted hepatitis C after a blood transfusion

At the age of 25, Dawn was given a blood transfusion at Blackpool Victoria Hospital in 1984, following the birth of her daughter.

Unbenownst to her, Dawn was given contaminated blood and became infected with Hepatits C, a life-threatening virus which mainly affects your liver, which she only discovered in 2017 when she was 58-years-old.

During a well woman review, doctors discovered that she had severe scarring on her liver typically associated with prolific drug and alcohol use.

Dawn said: “They were asking me about how many units of alcohol I’ve had, if I had any tattoos or treatments abroad.

“Initially they were thinking I was an alcoholic which a bit of a shock.

“The doctor said  the amount of scarring on my liver was  associated with a prolific cocaine user.”

An investigation revealed she had been infected with Hepatitis C during the blood transfusion.

The 62-year-old said she came out of the doctors feeling “like a lost person” and didn’t initially know much about the illness.

“I went home at night and looked up hepatitis C and saw that people have died from it – I was in a mad panic to be honest”.

“I panicked that my son could have it as I had it while pregnant with my son and it took him three months to get a test.

“When I realised he didn’t have it I felt better in myself.”

Although Dawn has undergone medical treatment to clear her viral load, she has a long term heart problem and liver scarring.

 Dawn said her hepatitis C went undiagnosed for many years as she didn’t get many of the classic symptoms, apart from those related to dental issues.

“I couldn’t work out why I had so many dental problems," she explained. "I seemed to be at the dentist every two minutes. My gums were always a problem, I had root canals.

“My teeth have crumbled away. I will be there crying in the dentist and another one will come out in the afternoon.”

Ms Zerbatini also commented on the psychological impact the diagnosis had on her. While awaiting to find out what type of Hepatitis C she had and when she could get treatment, Dawn said she struggled with her mental health.

She explained: “You don’t realise the psychological impact it can have on you.

“I am quite an upbeat person – but [waiting for treatment] brought me down. I wasn’t the same person for those few months.

"I went to a wedding at Mitton Hall and I remember I had a big wave of depression and that’s not like me.”

Dawn is taking part in the enquiry in order to get some answers – and also to encourage people who have had blood transfusions to get tested for hepatitis C themselves.

She explained: “I worry about other people, thinking there must be others like me, who don’t know they are walking around with HepC  which is slowly destroying their organs.

“All people need to be tested regardless of the cut-off date of September 1991 for compensation for people affected by the scandal.

“Family is my life, and I live for my family. I only hope I’m here to see the hearing through to the end.”

Sir Brian Langstaff, Chair of the Inquiry, said:"Making a written statement to the Inquiry, knowing that it will be published, is never likely to be easy. It may be emotional; bring back troubling memories; cause anger that life turned out in a way it should not have done; or worry those who have spent a lifetime hiding illness.

“Having the courage to do this deserves recognition: I am reading each and every statement and the Inquiry is publishing each and every statement. And when others read these powerful statements, I trust it will open their eyes as it has mine.”

If you would like to take part in the Infected Blood Inquiry and share your story, then visit the Infected Blood Inquiry website.