The last few weeks I've learned some very sobering things:
1. If you can avoid getting a blood transfusion, by all means do so. Here are the reasons:
A. Someone with HIV can give blood when in the first few weeks of
infection because tests available are not sensitive enough (or there
isn't enough Antibody--take your choice) to detect it.
B. Diseases can exist in the blood supply that we don't even know
about, or know enough to check for them. I believe this is what
happened with some of the "newer" forms of hepatitis.
C. (My comment) We don't know how all diseases are transmitted, or
even what possible problems might lurk in donated blood. And we
never really will. This is why, I was told, that they don't treat
anemia with blood until the hematocrit is below 25%. (Thank God
for epogen!)
2. If you have had a tattoo, you cannot give blood for at least 12 months.
3. That they have discovered that it is not enough for the tattoo artist to
change their needles; apparently they must change the tubing and dye
cartridge, as the hepatitis viruses have been found to survive there.
I just discovered, after 54 years, that I can give blood. I thought that, because I had had hep A when 5 that I would never be able to give. One thing is clear: if you are getting tattoos, you aren't (or shouldn't be) giving blood--at least for 12 months.
While I have no objections to tattoos in and of themselves (or piercings), both seem to carry potential for disease transmission--and some pretty nasty diseases at that. While I can understand tattoos before entering a health care profession...I'd like to think after entering that health care professionals would want to donate blood as often as possible, if not prevented for other reasons (weighing under 110#, having a SBP
(I will admit, however, that I felt that my Dad was a dedicated health professional, an Optometrist--very involved in his profession, which he practiced for 50(!) years...but never knew him, or anyone in my family, to donate blood.)
Okay...let the flames begin!!!! :) :) :)
NurseFirst
PS -- please note that I post this because I can only see my viewpoint; I am inviting and encouraging others of a differing viewpoint to post--PLEASE! That way I learn more and understand more...Thanks!!!!
