|Guidelines for HIV Interventions in Emergency Settings (UNAIDS - UNHCR - WHO - OMS, 1996, 59 p.)|
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT AIDS FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO GIVE BLOOD
WHAT IS AIDS?
AIDS is a disease which destroys the bodys ability to protect itself against infections and other illnesses. It is caused by HIV, a virus that lives in blood and other body fluids. You can therefore get HIV infection if blood containing the virus enters your blood stream. You can also get HIV infection by having sex with someone who has HIV. This is particularly true if you have had a sexual contact which has resulted in you contracting a sexually transmitted disease (STD). More information about HIV and AIDS and how to protect yourself from getting the disease can be obtained from your doctor or your nearest health clinic.
IS THERE ANY RISK OF CATCHING HIV FROM BLOOD DONATION?
There is absolutely no risk to blood donors giving blood at any blood donor clinic. All the materials used for collecting blood are sterile and are only used once, so HIV or any other disease cannot be caught from giving blood.
WHAT TESTS ARE DONE ON DONATED BLOOD TO ENSURE THAT IT IS SAFE FOR TRANSFUSION?
The laboratory does tests for HIV, syphilis (an STD) and hepatitis B. The tests are the same as those used anywhere in the world. However, these tests may not show the early stages of infection. So people who may have been exposed to HIV infection must not donate blood. If the results of a test are positive, a donor is only informed if he or she requests the service to do so. People who think that they may have been infected by HIV must not use the Blood Transfusion Service as a place to find out if they are infected. This could be very dangerous to the patient who receives their blood.
WHO SHOULD GIVE BLOOD?
Please remember blood is required in order to save lives. Only healthy people who are not at risk from HIV and other transmissible infections should donate blood. If all the people in this category give blood regularly, our country will have sufficient supplies of blood which will greatly assist in saving lives.
WHO SHOULD NOT GIVE BLOOD?
Blood should not be given by people who have had a sexually transmitted disease or who are at risk of contracting HIV, including those with many sexual partners, homosexuals, prostitutes and injecting drug users. It should also not be given by anybody who has had sexual contact with anyone in these categories.
Blood transfusion services have a very high respect for people who give their blood to save a life. We are confident that nobody would knowingly donate blood if they thought that they could possibly transmit HIV and cause the recipient of the blood to develop AIDS.
Blood is required daily. Give blood and save a life with your safe blood. Your support is appreciated.