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A member asked:

Why did they keep on letting drug addicts donate blood after hiv was first identified? didnt they know?

3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

HIV INFECTION: Hiv and other infections are screened among blood donors much more among drug addicts to prevent transmission of aids , hepatitis, etc.

Answered 5/19/2012

6k views

Thank
Dr. Gregg Albers answered

Specializes in Addiction Medicine

HIV: They did not have a reliable blood test to screen or confirm HIV for many months after the disease was discovered. Sorry!

Dr Villaplana and another doctor agreed

Answered 12/8/2015

6k views

Thank

Related Questions

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Why can't my gay friend donate blood if both he and his boyfriend are HIV negative?

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Hiv scare 7 weeks ago, took pep, had my first blood test today, 7 weeks post exposure, results negative, i know too soon to tell but how good is it?

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Positive HIV screener test at blood donation... Negative IFA and Negative NAT... False positive?

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In a blood donation camp, I donated blood. To check Haemoglobin the official pricked me . I forgot to check if the needle was new. Am I at risk HIV?

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When dr orders "serious infection" blood test like hiv, does lab secretly take personal info from blood - like your DNA / gene info to identify you?

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