Do Hospitals Check For HIV When Giving A Blood Transfusion

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U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Greece to Improve Blood Transfusion Checks After Two Hospital Patients Get AIDS

On Tuesday, Greece announced it will screen blood for transfusions with the more sensitive nucleic acid testing (NAT). The announcement follows reports that two people were infected with HIV after a donor's blood tested false-negative under the old... Read more »

HIV-Positive Blood Mistakenly Used for Transfusions, Blood Products in Korea, Health Ministry Says

Blood that tested positive for HIV or hepatitis was used in transfusions and to make blood products because of errors made by the Korea National Red Cross , officials from the country's Ministry of Health and Welfare said on Thursday, the Korea... Read more »

China's Health Ministry to "Severely Punish" People Responsible for Unsafe Blood Sales; 25 People Receive HIV-Positive Blood Through Transfusions

China's Ministry of Health earlier this week announced new rules that will "severely punish those responsible" for collecting and distributing untested blood that leads to people becoming infected with bloodborne diseases such as HIV through... Read more »

Ask the Experts

hiv and blood transfusion

over the last 2 years i had to have 2 blood transfusions.about 6 months after the last one i developed hiv with avery high viral count of 2.5 million.cna this high of an amount be attributed to sexual contact or am i right in assuming huge amounts...

Response from Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C.

Stanford University, School of Medicine

You can have very high viral load levels during acute infection regardless of the method of transmission.... Read more »

Blood Transfusion

Well I found out why I was so tired all the time the last time I was in the hospital and my white and red blood counts were really bad. My t-cell count was 3. they gave me 5 units of blood in one week and nupagen. After starting me on new hiv...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello,Blood transfusions do not raise T-cell counts and are not considered to be an anti-HIV therapy. However, blood transfusions can be lifesaving for those with severe anemia (low red blood cell count, low hemoglobin). Good luck with your new... Read more »

Blood Transfusion?

Dear Doctor, I am very confused. I have HIV and am not doing so well on the meds given to me so far (I was diagnosed about 4 months ago). My doctor wants me to have a blood transfusion. What does this mean? I am anemic and the iron pills and...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hi,Since you were diagnosed only 4 months ago, I'm sure this is all very new to you and I'm sure very confusing, as well. Anemia means that your red blood cell count is low. HIV itself and some HIV medications can decrease red blood cell... Read more »

blood transfusion and scratch

Dear Dr. Bob, Please answer, donation to follow. I realize this is a stupid question but there is still that little voice in back of my head that tells me that it's not so stupid.I have a sister who has a doctorate in psychology and that I...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hi,Are you being unrealistic and paranoid about this? Yep!Do you have any real reason to worry? Nope. I can assure you OCD is a very common disorder and certainly not linked to low I.Q. However, your HIV fears are indeed completely unwarranted.... Read more »

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Connect With Others

accident victim hiv+ after blood transfusion

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

Accident victim HIV+ after blood transfusion

My 19 year old daughter was a victim of a drunk driver. She was
on life support for a month, in the hospital for three months,
underwent five surgeries, and received 21 units of transfused
blood. Now,... Read more »

hiv by transfusion

Posted by living, 2 Replies

I am a 22 year survivor. I became postive after having a blood transfusion. There is a good quality of life after diagnosis if you take your meds on a schedule and don't skip any. I would like to chat with other women who are positive and if any are... Read more »

Giving Blood

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

I hope that you all don't think I am stupid for asking this. My brother was recently in a very serious car accident. He had to get a blood transfusion. My question is this. I know that the blood was donated but we don't know by who. What if... Read more »

Question on transfusion..

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

Hey everyone, I was just wondering if it's possible for someone to have HIV after receiving a few blood transfusions in June of '85 due to being born prematurely???

Read more »

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