Poll of the Day > i got a blood transfusion last year, but i received a request to come in, ok?

(+) Yeah! (+)

i might have HIV, ok?

shouldn't take long, i'm headed to the hospital right now, ok?
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Thoughts and prayers from family to yours Clark.
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DukeRaouI posted...

Thoughts and prayers from family to yours Clark.

thank you Duke, i really appreciate it, ok?
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great news everyone, i'm clean, ok?

i can tell you were all very concerned, ok?
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I would guess that means the donor that gave the unit of blood you received tested positive for HIV at some point since then. You probably weren't at any great risk, but it's good that you're confirmed to be clean.

_AdjI_ posted...

I would guess that means the donor that gave the unit of blood you received tested positive for HIV at some point since then. You probably weren't at any great risk, but it's good that you're confirmed to be clean.

i was more surprised it's still a concern.
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HIV from blood transfusions? Until HIV is completely eradicated, it'll always be a concern. The tests they do on donated blood aren't perfect, especially where they aren't as rigorous as the ones they do if you go in specifically for an HIV test (since higher-risk people are screened out), so you'll still get the occasional case of somebody slipping through the cracks and them needing to make sure whoever got that blood is okay.

_AdjI_ posted...

HIV from blood transfusions? Until HIV is completely eradicated, it'll always be a concern. The tests they do on donated blood aren't perfect, especially where they aren't as rigorous as the ones they do if you go in specifically for an HIV test (since higher-risk people are screened out), so you'll still get the occasional case of somebody slipping through the cracks and them needing to make sure whoever got that blood is okay.

true, don't get me wrong - i'm ecstatic it's clear - but it scared me half to death.
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Understandably. HIV's certainly not the death sentence it was 30 years ago, but it's still a life-altering diagnosis that nobody wants.

Do you think theyll start using that pill before blood transfusions soon?
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The one that prevents transmission? I don't know if it'd be enough to prevent transmission via transfusion, given that transfusion is close to a 100% transmission rate (92.5%, to be exact, compared to 13.8% for receptive buttsex, which is the next-highest), but they might if the side effects don't outweigh the risk. As it stands, the likelihood of getting HIV from a blood transfusion is very, very low, since they're pretty rigorous in their screening. To that end, I have my doubts that prophylactic measures would be worthwhile, especially as the disease gets closer to becoming curable or being eradicated. If the incidence of HIV increases, though, they might.

They should at least pasteurize the blood to remove germs before forcing it onto unsuspecting citizens
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_AdjI_ posted...

Understandably. HIV's certainly not the death sentence it was 30 years ago, but it's still a life-altering diagnosis that nobody wants.

i think growing up in the days on Magic Johnson being diagnosed, has left a lingering fear.

Zangulus posted...

That would be a shock to see. Good that youre clean, but damn.

At least its not nearly as much of a death sentence now as it was 30 years ago. But its still life altering.

thank you, and i agree, i'd manage, but it would've been the strangest way to catch it.

Mead posted...

They should at least pasteurize the blood to remove germs before forcing it onto unsuspecting citizens

is that a real thing?
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