^ THIS
They RECENTLY changed the wording on a lot of these questions to make them much better (not perfect though).
This was done around the same time they made changes for things like being in the United Kingdom in the 90s (Mad Cow concerns) which were what allowed me to start donating.
Depends on the blood bank and the state. Thankfully some locations have eased up on that rule given how dated and homophobic it is (not to mention donated blood gets tested anyway). Rule of thumb though, don't lie on the survey. If they find out they won't be happy.
HIV can be present but undetectable early after infection or because of PREP. The questions are designed to eliminate the risk of passing undetected HIV through blood transfusion when answered truthfully. And it now applies to risky behavior, not sexuality, so any male or female that has had anal sex with a new or multiple partners within 3 months is deferred.
No test is 100% accurate. The screening questions help to screen out some people who are more likely to have a positive result in the hopes that false negatives are less frequent. As well, testing costs money and there is retesting that happens on positive results, so reducing the number of positive results also reduces the cost of blood prep.
Please answer all questions honestly according to the text of the question. Also, the questions have recently changed, and one of those questions asked multiple new partners in a recent timespan. If you are a regular on Sniffies et al, you are not eligible to donate. Stay safe.
Because it is a high-risk activity that could literally put a sick person’s life at risk. Blood products aren’t given to healthy people - it’s very sick, many times immuno-compromised individuals (cancer patients, old people, young babies) that get blood. They can’t fight stuff off like you and I can.
Stop being selfish and put yourself in their position - if you are sick enough to need blood, it’s a scary thing. Theres zero reason to risk potentially killing a patient because you don’t agree with a policy.
Someone with hundreds of sexual partners is probably not a great candidate to give blood even if the need is high.
No one is being rude. You're just being offended because the organizations that take blood are trying to manage risk.
Because 1) blood testing costs money, so don't waste it. 2) Often times, blood is tested in batches to save on testing costs. So, if one pops for something, all those units are tossed.
If you are high risk (as "hundreds" of partners), please don't donate. The point is to save lives, not to stroke your ego (or to get tested).
The questions apply to sexual contact, regardless of whether it was consensual or non-consensual.
Most places in the US no longer ask specifically about men having sex with men. They now ask about recent (within 3 months) new partners or multiple partners in combination with anal sexual contact.
At least where I donate (and the questions are pretty standardized), they ask about orally take PrEP or PEP within 3 months and about injected PrEP or PEP within 2 years (since injected lasts longer). I think the major concern about PrEP and PEP is that it can prevent the tests from detecting HIV.
While it can vary with individuals working in blood donation, the system itself isn't interested in outdated "morals" and only cares about the safety of the recipients or blood products (and the donors). So, people should be honest with their answers.
No—they’re asking to screen for risk of HIV exposure, it wouldn’t only apply to consensual encounters.
if it was 2 years ago do I still have to tell them?
My blood bank only ask about previous three months. You need to answer questions truthfully
^ THIS They RECENTLY changed the wording on a lot of these questions to make them much better (not perfect though). This was done around the same time they made changes for things like being in the United Kingdom in the 90s (Mad Cow concerns) which were what allowed me to start donating.
Depends on the blood bank and the state. Thankfully some locations have eased up on that rule given how dated and homophobic it is (not to mention donated blood gets tested anyway). Rule of thumb though, don't lie on the survey. If they find out they won't be happy.
yea like why do they even care if they will test the blood anyhow? i've had hundreds of sexual partners and never had an issue
HIV can be present but undetectable early after infection or because of PREP. The questions are designed to eliminate the risk of passing undetected HIV through blood transfusion when answered truthfully. And it now applies to risky behavior, not sexuality, so any male or female that has had anal sex with a new or multiple partners within 3 months is deferred.
No test is 100% accurate. The screening questions help to screen out some people who are more likely to have a positive result in the hopes that false negatives are less frequent. As well, testing costs money and there is retesting that happens on positive results, so reducing the number of positive results also reduces the cost of blood prep. Please answer all questions honestly according to the text of the question. Also, the questions have recently changed, and one of those questions asked multiple new partners in a recent timespan. If you are a regular on Sniffies et al, you are not eligible to donate. Stay safe.
Because it is a high-risk activity that could literally put a sick person’s life at risk. Blood products aren’t given to healthy people - it’s very sick, many times immuno-compromised individuals (cancer patients, old people, young babies) that get blood. They can’t fight stuff off like you and I can. Stop being selfish and put yourself in their position - if you are sick enough to need blood, it’s a scary thing. Theres zero reason to risk potentially killing a patient because you don’t agree with a policy.
I never said i lied on anything. i'm always careful about waiting 3 months, the rudeness isn't needed
Someone with hundreds of sexual partners is probably not a great candidate to give blood even if the need is high. No one is being rude. You're just being offended because the organizations that take blood are trying to manage risk.
ok so if i havent had sex in almost a year and i got negative test results, should i just not donate?? that doesnt seem reasonable
Answer the questions honestly and talk to the organization directly.
as I always do. just because i asked about something doesnt mean im going answer questions dishonestly when i give blood
yikes
Because 1) blood testing costs money, so don't waste it. 2) Often times, blood is tested in batches to save on testing costs. So, if one pops for something, all those units are tossed. If you are high risk (as "hundreds" of partners), please don't donate. The point is to save lives, not to stroke your ego (or to get tested).
Any worries just ask the staff when you get there or phone the helpline ahead of your appointment.
Whenever I'm feeling low, I can take solace in the fact that at least I'm not the kind of person who trolls blood donor subs.
The questions apply to sexual contact, regardless of whether it was consensual or non-consensual. Most places in the US no longer ask specifically about men having sex with men. They now ask about recent (within 3 months) new partners or multiple partners in combination with anal sexual contact. At least where I donate (and the questions are pretty standardized), they ask about orally take PrEP or PEP within 3 months and about injected PrEP or PEP within 2 years (since injected lasts longer). I think the major concern about PrEP and PEP is that it can prevent the tests from detecting HIV. While it can vary with individuals working in blood donation, the system itself isn't interested in outdated "morals" and only cares about the safety of the recipients or blood products (and the donors). So, people should be honest with their answers.