Paragraph 7 Hepatitis-associated conditions resulting in long-term severe disability

(1)

A person (“P”) is to be treated as having a Hepatitis-associated condition resulting in long-term severe disability if P—

(a)

has a Hepatitis B infection of severity level 2, 3 or 4 and P has been diagnosed with any of the conditions listed in sub-paragraph (2);

(b)

has a Hepatitis C infection of severity level 2, 3 or 4 and—

(i)

P has been diagnosed with any of the conditions listed in sub-paragraph (3), and

(ii)

in the case of a condition listed in sub-paragraph (3)(a) to (c), the condition was caused or exacerbated by interferon treatment for Hepatitis C.

(2)

The conditions referred to in sub-paragraph (1)(a) are—

(a)

Coombs positive haemolytic anaemia caused or exacerbated by interferon treatment for Hepatitis B;

(b)

idiopathic fibrosing alveolitis of the lung caused or exacerbated by interferon treatment for Hepatitis B;

(c)

rheumatoid arthritis that is either related directly to Hepatitis B or caused or exacerbated by interferon treatment for Hepatitis B;

(d)

aplastic anaemia.

(3)

The conditions referred to in sub-paragraph (1)(b)(i) are—

(a)

Coombs positive haemolytic anaemia;

(b)

idiopathic fibrosing alveolitis of the lung;

(c)

rheumatoid arthritis;

(d)

sporadic porphyria cutanea tarda causing photosensitivity with blistering;

(e)

immune thrombocytopenic purpura;

(f)

type 2 or 3 mixed cryoglobulinaemia accompanied by—

(i)

cerebral vasculitis,

(ii)

dermal vasculitis, or

(iii)

peripheral neuropathy with neuropathic pain.