Getting HIV From Blood Transfusion

Here's a taste of what TheBody.com has to offer on this topic:

Articles

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Aussies Getting Blood Transfusions When Not Needed

Up to 30 percent of non-urgent blood transfusions in Australia are unnecessary and possibly dangerous, and they occur partly due to a misperception that a blood "pep up" is good for patients, a health expert warned Tuesday. Speaking at an... 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 thru blood transfusion

what are the odds of getting hiv if you receive a blood transfusion that has hiv...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello,The estimated statistical risk for acquiring HIV from receiving a transfusion with HIV-tainted blood would be 9 out of every 10 exposures. In other words, it would be extremely likely.Dr. Bob... Read more »

blood transfusion

First of all let me thank you for the incredible work you are doing here. lot's of people find relif knowing more about Hiv.My question is this: Does get a blood transfusion increase my T-cell count?Lets say I find many donors and I get almost...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello,Getting blood transfusions will not improve your HIV disease. In fact it may worsen it! Blood transfusions in and of themselves can cause immunosuppression. They can also transmit bloodborne pathogens. As for T-cells, only a certain percentage... Read more »

Procrit and blood transfusions

Dr. Frascino,Help! I've been HIV positive for many years and finally my viral loasd is coming down but I'm anemic. I've been getting blood transfusions which help for a while. I don't want to change my HIV meds as I don't...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hey Cody,I see 2 possibilities here:1. you misunderstood what your doctor was saying or2. Your doctor doesn't know what the hell he's talking about.Let's hope it's number 1. There is absolutely no reason why Procrit can not be... 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 »

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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 »

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 »

Do not give blood as an hiv "test"!

Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies

http://www.thebody.com/cdc/news_updates/update.html#03

The above link describes a recent case where someone was hiv+ and they donated blood. This resulted in infecting an innocent person through a blood transfusion. Please do not donate blood as a... Read more »

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