|
 The blood supply in the United States is much safer today than ever before. The risk of HIV transmission has been nearly eliminated and the risk of hepatitis transmission greatly reduced thanks to multiple levels of safeguards, including:
- comprehensive evaluation of donors' medical and social history to exclude donors who may be carriers of infectious agents;
- physical examination of the donor;
- strict donation procedures using sterile supplies;
- and laboratory testing.
These procedures are followed by all blood centers nationwide and are monitored under the regulatory guidance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
 Only volunteers are permitted to donate blood, and there are no incentives to give. Studies prove that community volunteers are the safest source of blood for transfusion. Every donor completes a health history questionnaire and screening interview to identify behaviors that indicate a high risk for carrying blood borne disease. Strict confidentiality, as well as the absence of incentives or pressure to donate, encourage honest answers and deferral of any potential donor with possible health risks.
Every time someone donates blood, his or her blood is tested for evidence of infectious disease, including hepatitis B and C; HIV 1 and 2; HTLV I and II; syphilis; and CMV. The donor's blood type also is determined. Any unit of blood that shows evidence of carrying a disease is discarded and the donor is deferred from subsequent donation.
For your safety and the safety of transfusion recipients, there are instances in which people should not donate blood. One such case involves individuals diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). People whose doctor has told them they have this syndrome should not donate blood. If you have CFS, you may want to provide us with your contact information so we can let you know if and when our recommendations change.
CFS, also know as chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS) or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), is a complex and debilitating illness that affects the brain and multiple body systems.
There is no test for CFS; rather, it is diagnosed by doctors after performing a careful medical history, physical examination and series of laboratory tests. No one knows what causes CFS.
The CFIDS Association of America (http://www.cfids.org/blood.asp) has advised against CFS patients donating blood or organs. The National Cancer Institute in its interim guidelines, as posted on the CFIDS Association of America website (http://www.cfids.org/xmrv/nci-guidelines.asp) , has reinforced the need for CFS patients to refrain from donating blood. If you have any additional questions, please contact your physician.
|
