Is Blood Transfusion Safe

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

Ask the Experts

Safe blood transfusion v. Window period

Hi Doc!I have heard that places that accept blood (for storage and transfusion) can know if the blood is infected even if the person donating is at his/her window period. Then why don't they use this technology to straight-away determine if a...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello,The answer to your first question is a bit complex and technical, but I'll try to explain.Blood donors have been screened for HIV since 1985. Although newer generations of the test have been developed that increase the sensitivity for... Read more »

blood transfusions

Hello ! let me start by saying what wonderful work you and everyone at the body does. I had a baby... Read more »

Response from Ryan M. Kull, C.S.W »

Procrit and blood transfusions

Dr. Frascino,Help! I've been HIV positive for many years and finally my viral loasd is coming... Read more »

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D. »

Go to Ask the Experts »

Articles

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

World Facing Serious Shortage of Safe Blood for Transfusions

According to experts at an international conference wrapping up today in Beijing, the world faces a serious shortage of blood for transfusions, and new approaches are required to encourage people to donate. The International Federation of Red Cross... Read more »

Nigeria Opens First National Blood Transfusion Center to Help Curb Spread of HIV

Nigeria on Thursday opened its first national blood transfusion center in an effort to help curb the spread of HIV in the country, BBC News reports (Borzello, BBC News , 5/12). The center, which is jointly funded by the U.S.-based organization... 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 »

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 »

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???

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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 »

safe to wait

Posted by Elf, 3 Replies

my previous post laid out a history of how i became infected. For about 2 weeks i have searched for side affects or affects of HIV. I finally got into my first appointment as did my wife on Friday. there not going to start treatment until the end of... Read more »

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