HIV Infection from Blood Transfusions
Can I get HIV infection from a blood transfusion?
All donated blood in the US is tested for viruses that could be spread from one person to another in blood. HIV is one of these viruses. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS (autoimmune deficiency syndrome), which is a life-threatening disease. Over time, HIV weakens your ability to fight off serious infections and some cancers. When this happens, HIV infection becomes AIDS.
When tests find HIV in donated blood, the blood is thrown out. The person who gave the blood is:
- Told about the test result
- Advised to see their healthcare provider
- Asked not to give blood in the future
What are the chances of being infected with HIV from a blood transfusion?
Because blood donated in the US is tested for HIV, it’s very unlikely that you will get an infection from a blood transfusion. The chance that donated blood will contain HIV is less than 1 in nearly 2 million. People who want to donate blood are screened carefully. However, if a blood donor was infected with HIV within 2 weeks before giving blood, tests may not find the virus in the blood. This means there is a slight chance that a blood transfusion might infect someone who gets donated blood.
How can I prevent infection from transfusion?
If you are planning to have an operation, you may be able to donate your own blood before your surgery. Your blood can then be used if you need blood during or after surgery. There is an added cost for this because of the extra processing and storage involved, but it is a sure way to avoid infection. Ask your healthcare provider about this.
HIV Infection from Blood Transfusions: References
American Association of Blood Banks. Transfusion Transmitted Diseases. Viruses. April 2, 2007. Accessed December 30, 2009 from http://www.aabb.org/Content/About_Blood/Facts_About_Blood_and_Blood_Banking/fabloodtrans.htm.
MMWR. HIV Transmission through Transfusion – Missouri and Colorado, 2008.
NHLBI. What Are the Risks of a Blood Transfusion? US Dept of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Jan., 2012. Accessed 1/2014 from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/bt/risks.html.
US Dept of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly, October 22, 2010 / 59(41);1335-1339. Accessed 12/31/2011 from http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5941a3.htm.