giving blood - HIV Prevention Message Board

ChrisL · 07-08-2003, 03:57 PM

I give blood every year. If I were HIV +, which is highly unlikely, would I be contacted by Lifesource, or would they simply discard the blood?

healthy_sd · 07-08-2003, 04:39 PM

I don't know anything about lifesource but the red cross would notify you if something was wrong with your blood donation. why do you even have any concerns about HIV?

waterfireland · 07-10-2003, 02:33 PM

i also had the same question. i was at very low risk of HIV (received oral sex), and gave blood a year later, but did not hear anything back from them. Is there a national policy on this, that they certainly notify you if you have HIV? Do they test all donated blood, or just some? I doubt this is as strong a guarantee as a direct HIV test but the fact that one was not called must at least be good news.

Informer · 07-10-2003, 08:04 PM

Guys and gals,

The red cross would most definately notify you, however this is not an effective way of finding out your status. In todays world of effective treatments, many HIV therapies start from day one and help keep the virus in check. If you are sexually active, especially unprotected, get a test every 6 months just to be safe. It helps give you the power of knowledge and peace of mind.

Peace out.
Informer

Naozumi · 07-15-2003, 11:55 PM

I donated blood to a local blood bank when I was 16 and supposedly there was something wrong - an "inconclusive" HIV test - they did contact me so I could get tested by my doctor. I did get tested and was HIV-negative (which I knew without a test since I was a virgin and never used IV drugs nor had a blood transfusion). So they would definitely contact you.