Forum on Opportunistic Infections: Test for HIV on donated blood

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		Test for HIV on donated blood Aug 6, 2001 When some one donates blood (blood bank) they do test the blood for STD. If a person is fount to be HIV+ does the blood bank notefies that person. How safe is to say that if a person is not notefied by the blood bank then that person is HIV- FOR THAT SPECIFIC BLOOD THAT WAS DONATED. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET ANSWER FROM THE BLOOD BANK IF THAT PERSON WHO DONATED BLOOD WAS HIV+. THANK YOU


		Response from Dr. Feinberg Let me start by saying that using a blood donation to find out one's HIV status is a terrible, immoral, selfish thing to do. That said, if a person is not notified that their blood is HIV+, it is reasonable to assume that the donor is either HIV- or in the 'window period' between new infection and the development of a positive antibody test. If you or someone you know donated blood that could be HIV+, then contact the blood bank to let them know that, and DON'T DO THAT AGAIN!!

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