Question about giving blood?I got a notice in the mail saying that there's gonna be a Red Cross blood drive next week, and I'm long overdue to give blood. I really want to go and I feel like I should.
Maybe I'm just paranoid but I worry about how to know how they determine if your blood is safe.
As far as I know Im perfectly healthy.
I've given blood more than once. I've never used drugs or had sexual relations with anyone.
I am NOT looking for an excuse not to give blood. I want to do it again and I feel I should. I'm just concerned as to how they would determine if my blood were safe. What if a person donates blood and they feel fine but they have an infection or cold incubating in their system but just don't show the symptoms yet? I've had a little congestion off and on but I'm pretty sure it's allergies.
On one hand I feel that I should give if I'm perfectly healthy, but I worry that if I have an incubating virus that I could hurt the recipient.
I am really ashamed to ask this but I'm going to take advantage of the anonymity of the internet. How likely is it that a person can contract a serious illness (such as HIV or Hepatitis C) through kissing?
I know that it isn't likely but I want to be sure my blood is safe.
Thanks if you can help me.
These are all great, great answers.
Thank you!!
I guess I'll make my appointment then for this week! :-)
I'm O+ too (the universal donor). I thought that I was O- but the first time I gave blood they discovered that I was Rh positive.
A lot of people are scared but I've been through it and it's not that bad! :-) Thanks Travelingman for pointing that out. A lot of people have never done it and they're terrified that it's going to be this terrible ordeal, but they're wrong. I barely felt any pain when they took my blood out the last time. Maybe you've encouraged some others to give blood too.
Anyway, I'm going to give away some more blood I guess :)
Michele M
None of your questions were dumb and your final answers are the real reason you are uncomfortable with giving blood. The blood process is VERY thorough now a days. The blood is spun down any times and tested and retested. When you go in to give blood they ask the important questions to be sure you are fit to give at that time. Usually so long as you have not had fevers then you are ok. As far as getting Hep C and HIV through kissing....those are very good questions. The chances are so slim that people are not even talking about it anymore. It would take ALOT of saliva to pass them on...unless there were cuts in the mouth with active bleeding. Do you see what I mean? This is where you are truly uncomfortable with the idea of donating so I would suggest that you read up a little bit on HIV and Hep C and how it is transmitted and then you will fel more comfortable about donating. Good luck to you
vieve0219
Hello!
First of all- Good job on even thinking about this. That being said, I am a nurse and I give blood to my patients at least once a week. So- there is a concrete example of how donating blood can really save lives!
I did a little research and found out exactly what tests they put your blood through- because I wasn't really even sure! Please follow the link under my source to better find out how they test your blood after you've donated.
There is no way you can transmit HIV or Hepatitis C from kissing. Hepatitis A is the only one you can transmit- and that is usually from food service employees not washing their hands after they use the bathroom (number 2). Most people have their Hep A and B vaccines as children/middle schoolers.
If there was any genital to genital contact (even with underwear on) there could be a chance that something could have been transmitted- there doesn't always have to be penetration.
With all that information in mind- please remember- that is why they ask you all those questions before each and every time you donate. Answer them honestly and that is part of the screening process of whose blood is safe and whose isn't. Secondly, they test your actual blood for the diseases listed on the first website I listed as a source.
Good job thinking things over. Honesty will always prevail!!
Nice work helping to save lives too!!! Keep it up! :)
Travelingman
Good question and one that deserves an answer ... The process is almost painless ...
1. a complete history will be taken
2. blood checked for iron, a finger prick
3. using sterile technique blood is drawn
4. blood is processed
5. if there is a problem with the blood the donor is contacted discretely
6. blood products (packed red blood cells, freeze dried plasma, platelets, clotting factors, etc. are disseminated as needed)
Unless the needles and equipment used there is no possibility of contracting a disease. All blood centers are licensed by the state and federal government and all their personnel are hold a phlebotomy or nursing license as required by law in the state in which they practice.
Since I am O+, a Universal donor, I give blood as much as possible ... I have included several websites which go more indepth below.
Hope this answers your questions ... Thank you for saving a life!
Orignal From: Question about giving blood?
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