"Nationwide, babesiosis is the number one infectious disease caused by transfusions, although other complications, such as abnormal reactions to blood, are more common. "
wont be everywhere (of course ) but it is a start!!!
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
YAYAYAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it's about time!!!!
I AGREE!
I've been reading some of the transcripts and reports on this issue over the years. They've been trying to get this done for a long time, along with Lyme testing.
The Red Cross has been very active, has been writing compelling reports, and has been fighting to make it happen.
Very much needed! Shame it wasn't done sooner, could have saved lives.
Thanks for posting this article.
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
BTW- Whenever you see a blood mobile- go in and tell them you are sorry you can't donate because you have Lyme and/or Babesiosis.
Sometimes they try to convince us it is ok to donate anyway, giving me an opening for a good educational opportunity. Many don't know better at the "street level".
Plus, those there who are donating can hear your info on Lyme & TBD's too, so you've educated a number of folks.
Actually, it is one of my favorite audiences- one that can't get up and leave (attached to blood lines or working), and especially can't walk out if I am blocking the blood mobile door.
Posted by LisaK (Member # 41384) on :
wow, you are a tough one!!! haha.... I used to donate al lthe time before I knew I had it all.. they used to call me constantly because I am O neg.
"we have an emergency" "mom and unborn baby need you.." "boy in accident"
stuff like that
as soon as I found out and they called again I tlold them and they said I can never donate again (which I knew) and I never heard another peep.
Posted by koo (Member # 30462) on :
This confuses me. If it is difficult to get a dx on a routine blood test, how will this screening work?
Posted by LisaK (Member # 41384) on :
good question koo
Posted by SwissPiggy (Member # 47413) on :
I'd like to know how they detect if someone got it from blood. I had multiple transfusions for anemia (which may be due to Lyme to begin with) and I wonder if they were clean or not.
Posted by WPinVA (Member # 33581) on :
I don't think you can know. I wonder if I picked up something from a blood transfusion too.
Posted by paleogal (Member # 45991) on :
I felt so horrible when I found out about the Babesia. I've been donating for almost 15 years, I'm O- too! I called them immediately and they said they would contact every hospital and patient who got my blood. :/
At one point I gave blood and got a letter back that claimed I had Hep B! Turns out it was a false positive (I was re-tested later a few times). So they do notify after some tests.
I can only hope they start screening for Lyme and co and then notifying people that don't even know they have it. Of course, it could lead to a lot of folks who can't get a doc to order a WB to give blood just to get a test result.
(of course, they always let you choose the barcode that says "no, don't use my donation", so maybe you could do that and only be a little unethical)
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) but it is a start!!!
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