What tests are performed on donated blood?
After blood has been drawn, it is tested for ABO group (blood type) and Rh type (positive or negative), as well as for any unexpected red blood cell antibodies that may cause problems in a recipient. Screening tests also are performed for evidence of donor infection with hepatitis B and C viruses, human immunodeficiency viruses HIV-1 and HIV-2, human T-lymphotropic viruses HTLV-I and HTLV-II, and syphilis. The FDA is allowing national deployment of investigational nucleic acid amplification tests (NAT) to screen blood for West Nile virus (WNV) genetic material — an approach similar to that taken for NAT to detect HIV and HCV.
After blood has been drawn, it is tested for ABO group (blood type) and Rh type (positive or negative), as well as for any unexpected red blood cell antibodies that may cause problems in a recipient. Screening tests also are performed for evidence of donor infection with hepatitis B and C viruses, human immunodeficiency viruses HIV-1 and HIV-2, human T-lymphotropic viruses HTLV-I and HTLV-II, syphilis and West Nile Virus (WNV).
What are the requirements for giving blood, how often can you donate, and how safe is it to give or to receive blood? Also, please explain what a universal donor is. Thank you for your time. Answer: The questions you ask are some of the most common received by blood banks about blood donation. These are good questions and we appreciate you sending them to us. According to the American Association of Blood Banks, about 14 million units of blood are donated every year in the U.S. by about 8 million volunteer donors. This supply of blood is used by 4 million patients, including accident victims, people undergoing surgery, and patients with leukemia, cancer, and other diseases. Just one pint of donated blood can help save three lives. To give blood, you must be at least 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds. All donors also must pass the physical and health history examination. Each donation requires approximately 1 to 2 hours of your time. You can donate blood about every 56 days, or
After blood has been drawn, it is tested for A, B, O group (blood type) and Rh type (positive or negative), as well as for any unexpected red blood cell antibodies that may cause problems in a recipient. Screening tests also are performed for evidence of donor infection with hepatitis B and C viruses, human immunodeficiency viruses HIV-1 and HIV-2, human T-lymphotropic viruses HTLV-I and HTLV-II, and syphilis. The FDA is allowing national deployment of investigational nucleic acid amplification tests (NAT) to screen blood for West Nile virus (WNV) genetic material — an approach similar to that taken for NAT to detect HIV and HCV.
