PRC says blood donations free from HIV, other viruses

MANILA, Philippines - Amid reports of blood donations contaminated with the AIDS virus, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) gave assurance that it thoroughly screens blood donations for diseases that may be transmitted through transfusion.

PRC secretary-general Gwen Pang said all blood units that tested positive for transfusion-transmitted infections malaria, syphilis, hepatitis B and C, and Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) I and II are quarantined and retested.       

“The blood units found reactive twice are then labeled not for transfusion and/or for confirmatory testing, quarantined and then sent immediately to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, the national reference laboratory for confirmatory testing,” Pang said.

PRC made the statement to assuage public fears after it was reported that 129 blood units donated from January to October this year were contaminated with AIDS virus.          

“The report caused panic to the public but there is nothing to worry about. We make sure that we provide blood that has passed all quality assurance procedures prior to dispense,” Pang said.

She said the donors themselves were also thoroughly screened for transfusion-transmitted infections.     

A prospective donor who had a tattoo, body piercing, or a medical operation may only be permitted to donate blood after one year.            

A donor also cannot give blood if he is taking maintenance medicines or if he had chicken pox and sore throat in the past three months.

Aside from being free of transfusion-transmitted infections, qualified donors must be aged 18 to 60, although the age limit may be stretched to 65 for those who donate blood three to four times a year.

A qualified donor must weigh 110 lbs with a hemoglobin level of 125, to be sure he is not anemic, and must have a normal blood pressure and normal pulse rate.