HIV AND DONATED BLOOD AND ORGANS

HIV AND DONATED BLOOD AND ORGANS

Before it was known that AIDS is caused by a virus carried in the blood, a number of people became infected through transfusions of blood donated by people with HIV.

The UK blood supply is now one of the safest in the world. All donations are tested for HIV antibodies (the test which shows whether HIV is present). People from population groups which have been severely affected by HIV are asked not to give blood, because there is a gap (the window period) between infection and an accurate test result. A newly infected person could unwittingly donate during this time. Blood used for blood transfusions must be used whole and untreated, and it must be used quite quickly, so these measures ensure the supply remains as safe as possible.

You cannot get HIV from donating blood.

In some countries of the world, infection through blood transfusion is still a significant risk, due to lack of resources to ensure the safety of the blood supply. Travellers can telephone MASTA at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (0891-224100) or the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Consular Department's Travel Office (0171-270 3000) for up-to-date information and advice.

People with haemophilia are treated with blood products derived from donated blood. Before the link between HIV and AIDS was understood, many people with haemophilia became infected because they were given blood products derived from infected blood. Blood products for use in haemophilia treatment can be heated, and this kills HIV. Treatment with blood products is now safe from HIV in the UK.

All organ donors are now tested for HIV.