IS IT SAFE TO RECEIVE A BLOOD TRANSFUSION?

Mar
27
2009

Posted by: admin in Categories: Men's Health-Erectile Dysfunction.
Using Tags: Men’s Health

Before the AIDS virus was identified, some people received blood and blood products (for example, plasma, serum to treat hemophilia) that was tainted with the AIDS virus. Since the discovery of methods to test donated blood for the virus, the risk of acquiring the AIDS virus from a blood transfusion is extremely small. Similar procedures have been used to screen blood for the hepatitis virus, thereby reducing the risk of this virus as well, which on occasion can cause a lethal form of hepatitis.

In general, blood transfusions are given for illnesses of such a severity that to withhold the transfusion would be very risky. Now that blood is more carefully screened, the risk of the transfusion in terms of acquiring the AIDS or the hepatitis virus is extremely small. Concern about this possibility has led some people to donate their own blood during the period before elective (planned) surgery, to be used for a transfusion if one is needed. In some medical centers this program is already being used for elective open-heart and hip surgery. Whether this practice becomes common remains to be seen. If your physician decides that you require a blood transfusion, you can be confident that effective steps have been taken to supply you with safe, uninfected blood. There is no danger in donating blood and the Red Cross depends on reliable, healthy donors to assure a safe blood supply for the population.