Posted at 4:23 PM ET, 12/ 3/2010 Red Cross bars chronic fatigue patients from donating blood By Rob Stein
The American Red Cross announced Friday that it is barring people with chronic fatigue syndrome from donating blood to reduce the risk of transmitting a virus that has been associated with the disease.
The virus is known as xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus or XMRV. Some studies have found that people with chronic fatigue syndrome are more likely to carry the virus. But it remains far from clear whether the virus causes the disease.
Nevertheless, the Red Cross decided to bar people with the syndrome from donating "in the interest of patient and donor safety," according to an announcement from the organization.
"At present, there are no specific federal recommendations regarding deferral of individuals with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) or other diseases that have been associated with Murine Leukemia Virus-related virus (XMRV) infection. Nevertheless, in the interest of patient and donor safety, the American Red Cross will defer indefinitely any donor who reveals during the donor interview that they have been diagnosed with CFS," the statement said.
"There is currently insufficient data to conclude that XMRV is transmitted through blood transfusion. However, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Task force is conducting research to determine the frequency of the virus in the donor population, whether it is transfusion-transmitted, and whether recipients become infected and develop the disease," it said.
A task force that reviews blood safety for an organization known as the AABB recommended in June that blood collecting organization "actively discourage potential donors who have ever been diagnosed by a physician with chronic fatigue syndrome ... or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), from donating blood or blood components. In addition, any donor with symptoms of CFS would be deferred if, on the day of donation, they respond negatively to the question, 'Are you feeling well today?' " the agency said.
The recommendation came after new research strengthened the possible connection between the virus and the syndrome.
"The Red Cross has implemented the AABB recommendations and has gone further to implement indefinite deferral for donors who reveal a history of a medical diagnosis of CFS," the statement said.
The Food and Drug Administration, which regulates blood safety, had no immediate comment on the decision. The agency is convening a panel of outside experts to review the issue later this month.
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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Keebler
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- Well, with so many doctors for years just not getting the importance of underlying infections of CFS, I applaud the Red Cross for taking a very important stand to help protect the blood supply, at the same time conveying the seriousness of CFS. -
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seekhelp
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That's good. i wish the government and docs gave two craps about us and not just the blood supply. Help potential blood recipients and protect them while letting TBI sufferers die and struggle indefinitely with no research. Seems real fair.
Sadly, if this idiocy continues long-term, there won't be any blood to give because the IDSA will never acknowledge TBIs, call everyone depressed with CFIDS/CFS and the figures will go up, up, up during an epidemic. When will the chain be broken?
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sparkle7
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Yes - I agree seekhelp. I didn't used to think it but we do have to also consider fleas, flies, mosquitoes, etc., as well as, ticks in the spread of these illnesses that plague us.
Eventually, everyone is going to get bit by something that spreads some kind of disease in a minute quantity. Get bit enough times & we will get something.
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Help potential blood recipients and protect them while letting TBI sufferers die and struggle indefinitely with no research. Seems real fair.
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