Current Events > What's stopping someone who is HIV positive from donating blood?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Or any contagious disease/virus that can be transmitted from blood?

I donated blood at my local college with a friend. There were no questions asked...
It concerned me.
Everyone who donated got free tickets to a baseball game.
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...they test it
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DarkProto05 posted...

Everyone who donated got free tickets to a baseball game.

"I can't afford this baseball game"

"THEN PAY WITH YOUR BLOOD!"
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I can't believe this is not a complete_idi0t topic
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Nothing is stopping you from donating it, but they test it all anyways so...
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complete_idi0t alt?
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I'm serious.

Didn't consider that they tested it.
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You typically sign a form that states that you do not have HIV to your knowledge. I guess it could be argued as fraud, but the donors doesnt receive any real benefit.

Legally there really isnt anything all that significant barring it.
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pegusus123456 posted...

...they test it

Gamer99z posted...

Nothing is stopping you from donating it, but they test it all anyways so...

HIV can be undetectable for up to 6 months after infection.
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NeonOctopus posted...

pegusus123456 posted...

...they test it

But HIV can be undetectable for up to 6 months after infection

Then they wouldn't know they have HIV either.
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They test every batch regardless.

DarkProto05 posted...

There were no questions asked...

But this is news to me. Last I heard, the FDA requires people collecting donations to fill out an extensive questionnaire and complete sexual history form. I believe they also need to collect your personal information in the event that your blood tests positive for HIV so they can report it to the CDC.

There is (or was?) a rather large controversy surrounding the FDA's choice to deter gay and bisexual men from ever donating blood, due to the FDA's perception of this group being at higher risk. This is despite the fact that the blood is tested either way. And the deferment was enforced regardless of the nature of sexual contact that occurred. Even so much as having oral sex with another man over a decade ago meant you would never be allowed to donate blood. I don't know if this policy is still in effect.

^^^ They asked if I'm sick or have been sick in the past two weeks. That's about it.
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When you donate blood they often ask you if you're MSM, since gay men make up the vast bulk of HIV carriers.
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r4X0r posted...

since gay men make up the vast bulk of HIV carriers

'MSM' and gay men are two distinct groups. MSM are the guys who troll craigslist and airport lavatories for anonymous gay hookups, and probably preach against these very actions in their social lives. (See Ted Haggard)

Who knows what their sexual orientation may be. They're usually married and have children, but mess around with other guys on the side.

NeonOctopus posted...

pegusus123456 posted...

...they test it

Gamer99z posted...

Nothing is stopping you from donating it, but they test it all anyways so...

HIV can be undetectable for up to 6 months after infection.

If that's the case, then how would the person themselves know they have HIV? Unless the other person was like "haha gotcha, just gave you HIV! It's just a prank bro!"
There wouldn't be any malicious intent and no amount of questions could figure that out if the person doesn't know. The closest thing you can do is ask if you've had homosexual relations then deny them due to higher risk, but it's not like straight men and women don't have it too.
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The test it.
Eliminate high risk individuals from donating.
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I troll gamefaqs bathrooms looking for gay hookups