Question about donating blood and STDs?
Here is what I found: “Using nationally standardized procedures, trained technicians perform at least 11 different tests on each sample of blood. Every unit of blood is screened for infectious diseases such as HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B and C, as well as for unexpected antibodies that might cause a transfusion reaction in some people. Each American Red Cross blood donation also undergoes nucleic acid testing (NAT), an investigational testing method used to detect both HIV-1 and hepatitis C before the body has begun to produce antibodies. NAT testing at the American Red Cross and most other blood collection centers across the country is being done under an Investigational New Drug (IND) application submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Preliminary results (American Red Cross NAT testing began in April 1999) suggest that the test may be more sensitive than any other screening method. Within 18 hours of submitting the blood samples to the NTL, test results are sent back
