Blood transfusions are a fact of life.  With our modern society, there are several conditions under which blood transfusions become lifesaving.  People who are involved in accidents frequently need transfusions if there has been a large loss of blood.  Certain types of operations, especially those involving internal organs, may call for transfusions if there has been significant blood loss and, of course, people with diseases such as hemophilia need transfusions of blood or blood products in order to keep them healthy.

Now, the disease called aids has become a major health problem in the United States as well as around the world.  Aids is a disease for which there is presently no vaccine.  Neither is there a cure for the person who contracts the disease.  The signs and symptoms of aids infection include night sweats, fevers, swelling of the glands of the body, and the development of pneumonia and other infections.  The death rate from aids is climbing as the disease progresses.  Scientists are working very hard to find a cure for this problem.

The virus causing aids is called the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and is known to be transmitted through body fluids including blood.  If a person has become infected with the HIV, he or she could possibly pass the virus onto the person receiving the blood transfusion.  Because of this, many people are afraid of getting blood transfusions when they go to the hospital.  Because the aids virus lives in the bloodstream, people who come into contact with blood from infected persons are definitely at risk for the development of aids. 

Whether the blood is on a shared razor blade, a contaminated needle used by street drug abusers, or any other contaminated blood product, the danger exists.

Aids was first recognized as a specific disease about 1981.  At that time, people who received blood transfusions from infected people were not aware of the problem.  It is true that during the time up until 1985, there was a danger of getting aids from transfused blood contaminated by the virus. However, when scientists became aware of the situation steps were taken to protect the public from this threat.

A test to discover whether or not a person has be

en exposed to the virus causing aids has been developed.  Now, all blood banks in the U.S. Screen all donated blood to make sure the donor is not HIV positive.  These tests can tell if the person has developed antibodies against the HIV, which means that they have been exposed to the HIV.  Let me repeat that.  All blood donated in the United States is now screened for the presence of antibodies against the aids virus.  That means if the person has been exposed to the aids virus, and their body has reacted by forming antibodies, the test will find this and be positive.

If you had a blood transfusion before 1985, there is no guarantee that the blood given to you was screened by the aids test.  However, the chances are good that you did not receive contaminated blood.  You should be aware, however, of the signs and symptoms of aids.  If any of the following occur, please check with your doctor to get a complete examination and be followed up properly.

 Night sweats that are unexplained by such factors as using too many night clothes or blankets.
Swelling of the glands of the body such as in the neck or groin.
Dark spots occurring on the body which resemble warts.
Frequent respiratory infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis.
Chronic diarrhea.
Unexplained fevers.

Remember--if you received or are planning to receive a transfusion, since 1985 the blood has been tested for the presence of aids antibodies.  You will only be given blood that tests negative.

All blood transfusions expose the recipient to a certain amount of health risk.  This is not only with respect to contracting aids, but also to allergic reactions or other infections that might be carried in the blood.  Because of this, many people choose to use what are called autologous blood transfusions. That means that the person has blood taken from his or her own body for storage and use later on.
This procedure is not difficult or dangerous and can be done at any blood bank after consultation with your doctor on the details.  If a person is anticipating elective surgery this procedure will allow them to have their own stored blood used for transfusion into themselves if the need arises.

No matter whether or not you choose to use autologous transfusions, you can be assured that everything possible is being done by your doctor and the blood bank to protect you from aids through blood transfusions.