Just something I would like to know
If you donated blood and you may have been infected with hiv, hepatis
How would they know with someone say 2 weeks after an exposure as I thought you could pass it on but it wouldn鈥檛 show till after the window period. According to the American Red Cross, here is what they do with the blood from donors:
Testing your blood
Your blood will be tested for syphilis, HIV (the virus that causes AIDS), hepatitis and other factors. We will notify you if tests show you may be unhealthy. Your blood would not be
used if it could make someone sick. (A sample of your blood or a portion of your donation might be used now or in the future for additional tests or other medical studies. Please tell us if you object.)
Do not give blood to find out whether you test positive for the virus (HIV) that causes AIDS. Though the tests we use are very good, they are not perfect. HIV antibodies may take weeks to develop after infection with the virus. If you were infected recently, you might have a negative test result, yet be able to infect someone. That is why you must not give blood if you are at risk of getting AIDS or other infectious diseases. We can tell you where to get an AIDS test anonymously.
When you first get there, they ask you a series of questions to screen out those that may be more susceptible to HIV or other diseases. Donating blood is a very serious matter and is also a very needed one as well as the blood banks tend to run low. Here is more general info on what happens when you arrive prior to giving blood:
1.You'll be asked for a form of identification each time you donate. You'll provide this information:
* name
* date of birth
* social security number
2. They will do a mini-physical examination that includes checking:
* your temperature
* your blood pressure and pulse
* a drop of your blood to be sure you have enough red blood cells to donate safely
3. You'll be asked about your past and present health and lifestyle, and we will answer any questions you may have. Depending on your answers, you may be deferred from donating, either temporarily or permanently.
If you are allergic to iodine, tape or natural latex rubber, tell the interviewer so that the donation staff can substitute other materials.
This interview will be private and confidential.
4. You'll be given a form so you can let us know, privately, whether your blood is safe to give to another person.
5. They will cleanse an area of the arm you will be using to donate. All of the supplies, including the needle, are sterile and are used only once 鈥?for you.
6. When they start the actual donation, several things occur:
* at the beginning you may feel a brief "sting" from the needle
* the donation usually takes about 10 minutes, and
* you will have given about a pint of blood when finished. Your body will replace the plasma (liquid part) in hours and the cells in a few weeks.
7. When you are finished, you will be given a form with:
* donation instructions
* a number to call if you decide after you leave that your blood may not be safe to give to another person
8. Although most people feel fine before and after donating blood, a small number of people may have a (n):
* upset stomach
* faint or dizzy feeling
* black and blue mark, redness, or pain where the needle was
Very rarely, a person may faint, have muscle spasms, and/or suffer nerve damage.
If it is safe for you to donate, please do. Those that shouldn't donate based on certain conditions are listed at:
http://www.redcross.org/services/biomed/...
Hope this answers your question! "Dragonfly" gave a very good, very complete answer to your question. Of course, you could have picked up a phone and called the Red Cross yourself. |
