Heard on our local news today (Arizona) that Babesiosis is being spread through the blood supply because it is hard to detect and symptoms don't show up for a while in people.
The news didn't give symptoms list, just said that it's more likely in the east and midwest.
Hells Bells, if people knew what this disease does to you, there were be an outcry to the level of HIV/AIDS.
This story will get buried because if people can't pronounce it, it will be forgotten.
Something we knew all along, huh?
Posted by lymeboy (Member # 24769) on :
Holy crap. This is beyond bad.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Finally, someone gets it. I'm sure people have given blood before they knew they had babesia. I know of one. and when my son was in the hospital and had to get a blood transfusion, I was concerned about it, but it was a matter of life and death and getting blood was most important, and we were thankful to those who donated it. At least now, we move forward in the right direction.
[ 09-07-2011, 11:02 AM: Message edited by: patty7 ]
Posted by jlp38 (Member # 27221) on :
I used to give blood regularly. Why wouldn't I? I didn't know I was carrying this crud. I wasnt sick in the slightest. So sad to think I may have contributed to this.
Posted by kelmo (Member # 8797) on :
I used to donate, too jlp38.
Posted by NanaDubo (Member # 14794) on :
I read that Rhode Island is now screening blood donations for babesia but to my knowledge, that is the only State that does.
Posted by thehause (Member # 21237) on :
I don't believe that they can successfully screen for all forms of Babesia.
Does anyone know if Salt/C works on babs?
Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :
My son donated with Babesiosis while in high school. He didn't understand he shouldn't. I've called the Red Cross a few times about it, and they keep telling me, "I'm sure we would have picked up on anything when we screen the blood." I can't get past the volunteers to get someone to call me back! Even though it's been 4 years now, I still think they should notify the recipients that they were given tainted blood!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by thehause: I don't believe that they can successfully screen for all forms of Babesia.
- Exactly
"Since there�s no test available to screen the blood for the parasite, it �has become the infectious agent most frequently transmitted by blood transfusion in the United States,� wrote David Leiby, a microbiologist from the American Red Cross laboratory in Rockville, Md. in an editorial that accompanied the study."
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I made this point to a news reporter, but it never got in the news article.
I have babesia, its on the DO NOT EVERY DONATE BLOOD AGAIN list if you've ever had it, and if I went there to give blood, the blood bank would accept it.
Why? Because those idiots can't find Babs in my blood.
Idiots
Posted by 17hens (Member # 23747) on :
That's a very good point, Fyrecracker.
So now they'll screen.
Does that mean they'll ask donors if they might have it and then not accept them if they say yes?
People don't know what Babesia is, let alone if they have it. I think I had Babesia for 10 years or so before getting sick from that last tick bite.
Or will they actually look for it in the donor's blood? And if they find it, how come they can't find it in our blood?
Sheesh.
Posted by CheryM (Member # 32445) on :
Wow, I never realized how powerful Babesia is. How it hides. New Doctor believes I have babesia with a coinfection. I'll have results soon. Mine was sent to Igenix. Not sure I spelled it write.
I did test postive for lyme in 09, but I haven't tested positive since then. I had 10 spots, high fever, flu symptoms. I've been sick since.
I never had a blood transfusion, man it's terrible they can pass it around & not test correctly for babesia.