Transfusion

Is it safe to have blood transfusion?

Blood transfusion saves millions of lives each year, but only if safe blood supply is guaranteed. Receiving transfused blood has increased the risk to being affected by HIV and a number of other infections. Diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and several Sexually TRansmitetd Diseases (STDs) can also be transmitted through transfusion.

Can I receive my own blood ?

Your own blood is the safest blood for your transfusion needs. A transfusion, after all, is a transplant of sorts, but instead of a kidney or liver, blood is the tissue a patient receives. When transfused with your own blood, you are not exposed to infectious disease and you are the perfect match. Your doctor will also carefully consider the benefits and effects your blood donations may have on you.

How do I ensure that the blood is actually HIV free?

The process of testing blood to see if it contains infectious agents capable of being transmitted to those who received the blood is known as screening. Majority of tests detect the presence of anti bodies to HIV and not the virus itself. Although HIV tests are very sensitive, there is a window period. This is the period between the onset of infection with HIV and the appearance of detectable anti bodies to the virus. In the case of most sensitive HIV tests the window period is about three weeks.