Donating blood- is it safe ?

nursej22, MSN, RN · Oct 13, 2009

I have been donating blood since 1999, just got my 4 gallon pin and have never had a problem. The blood center use a new, self-contained blood set with every donation--collection bags, tubing, needle all in one. Nothing is shared between patients so there is no chance of blood borne transmission. Additionally, potential donors complete a questionnaire and have their temp. pulse, BP and hemoglobin checked. IMHO,blood donation is safer than dining in a restaurant where food borne illness can be transmitted very easily.

mamamerlee, LPN · Oct 13, 2009

Bowser - are you a nurse? It has ALWAYS been safe to donate, everthing is used just once. It's the recipient who has had to worry in the past.

Jokerhill · Oct 13, 2009

It is very safe !!! You may get a small hematoma is the biggest risk, or slightly hopoglycemic so eat well before you go. Go on your blood banks web site and they will give you the pre-donation instructions. I have given blood and have been a bone marrow donor, it feels great in your heart to give and know you are helping. Jeff

bowser301 · Oct 13, 2009

gosh mamamerlee. no, i am a student nurse. sorry that i didnt know.

when i was younger ive heard of news reports about someone getting AIDS because she donated blood, through transfusion I suppose. im not the only one who has concerns about this though.

anyway thank you for the replies.

allnurses Guide · Oct 13, 2009

Make sure you eat and drink plenty beforehand.. the biggest risk I find is that without fail, I faint after giving blood. I'm much better if I load up on juice etc in the morning and donate in the afternoon.

roser13, ASN, RN · Oct 13, 2009

"when i was younger ive heard of news reports about someone getting AIDS because she donated blood, through transfusion I suppose. im not the only one who has concerns about this though. "

???

No one, let me repeat - NO ONE - has ever become HIV+ from donating blood.

When you donate blood, the blood flows OUT of you, not in. The word transfusion does not apply to a blood donation. A transfusion involves receiving donated blood, thus could be considered a risk.

There has never ever been a risk to blood donation and I have never heard of anyone fearing a risk. Of course, there are those who are afraid of needles.....

PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN · Oct 13, 2009

Donating is not an issue. You may be referring to receiving blood? That's a whole different thing.

chicookie, BSN, RN · Oct 13, 2009

As long as the equipment is new when they do it there are no risks. Usually when they take blood they open everything right in front of you.

I have heard of reports were donating blood has given people infections but that was in central america and that doctors office was using used needles and such.

Receiving blood is a whole different story.........

LadyJaye · Oct 13, 2009

I have heard some people needing ab+ for a while although our teacher said if you're ab you can get any blood.

Please donate. While it is true that AB+ blood is the universal receiver, AB+ plasma is the universal plasma donor- and they need your plasma...

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Oct 13, 2009

when i was younger ive heard of news reports about someone getting AIDS because she donated blood, through transfusion I suppose. im not the only one who has concerns about this thought.

Unfortunately, this WAS/IS a common misconception.

I have seen several fiction books that discussed this. Unfortunately, the layperson may not know better....sees it in a book/soap opera/other work of FICTION and think that there is some truth there. I actually wrote to an author about perpetuating this falsehood in her popular series, as some people believe it if they read it.

There is no risk of contracting AIDs through donating blood through standard services here in the USA, by standard processes. Services here in the USA, as in most areas are provided using single use sterile supplies, and there is no point of personal contact between the donor and recipient, or between several donors.

Having said that, there are some extreme (and rare) situations/ places where direct donor to recipient transfusions might occur, generally in wartorn areas or third world disaster issues. Or in third world/rescue, where supplies may not be perfectly sterile, needles might be reused due to lack of supplies where that could be an issue. That of course is an extreme outlier situation.

scootertrash nurse · Oct 13, 2009

donating blood is taking the blood from you! How in the H*!! can you get something if the use sterile needles tubing and bags