Donating Blood

[The Doors]

SWIM was wondering of how safe it would be for someone who is considering donating blood to do so after having consuming the following drugs:

Marijuana; pretty much on a daily basis for the past year.
Ecstacy/MDMA: Has used it around 10 times since mid-january when he first took it, the last time being 2weeks ago.

Maybe it'd be a good idea to post for other drugs too, SWIM would like to donate if possible.

[Nagognog2]

I can't think of any allergies these might provoke.

Just make sure you haven't had sex with another man - even if both are tested and found clear of any SDI's like AIDS. That's against the law. (USA)

[Heretic.Ape.]

And make sure you don't have epilepsy and aren't taking depakote or keppra. Tried to sell some blood for the new server drive and they wouldn't take it.

[Micklemouse]

Non-drug-related, but in Britain you are not allowed to give blood if you have had a blood transfusion since January 1st 1980 due the risk of CJD (Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease - the human form of Mad Cow Disease).

Any intravenous drug-use (ever!) is out, as is giving blood if you have had sex with an i.v. drug-user.

Personally, I would say giving blood with traces of any psychoactive substance is a no-no (this is personal opinion mind you) - give your system time to clear itself before donating. A Certain Mouse would not like to think that he was introducing a chemical into somebody else without their knowledge or consent.

https://secure.blood.co.uk/c11_cant.asp

(Requires Java enabled & Flash)

[Abrad]

I have heard that you will not be allowed to donate if you have used cocaine within the past year due to a possible risk of hepatitis being passed on from sharing straws (presumebly this would also apply to other drugs).
Anybody know if this is true?

Edit: seems it is true.

www.ndc.hrb.ie

Irish Blood Transfusion Services (IBTS) have banned cocaine users from donating blood after AIDS specialists announced that it would be possible for people who snort cocaine to contract the HIV virus. The virus conceivably could be passed as rolled banknotes may cause cuts in the nasal passages, with banknotes often shared between users. Randy Viele, outreach co-ordinator with the AIDS Council of North-eastern New York said: “Sharing paraphernalia to snort cocaine can lead to Hepatitis C or even AIDS when blood gets on the equipment. It can happen”. The IBTS has now included a question on he screening application enquiring whether the potential donor has snorted cocaine or any other drug. Dr William Murphy, head of the IBTS, said: “Our question about snorting was originally brought in because of Hepatitis C concerns. We know Hepatitis C has gone from person to person through straws. It is due to the microscopic bleeding onto the straw from haemorrhaging in the nasal passage”.

[tayo]

probably a drug needs to be active in the bloodstream and it would have to be one that would not deteriorate, like alcohol. but drugs months ago shouldnt hurt anyone.
people lie though... they could be on a drug while giving blood, say psilocybin in the bloodstream might freak someone out during a transfusion.... which probably wouldnt last in refrigerated blood because it would decay because or blood does indeed have a PH and a bunch of other stuff in it that will look to whipe out foreign substance. (p-glycoproteins, certain cells, antigens)

and for Abrad, hepatitis c is the one that is well-know for being passed from tooters. don't know if they'll "let you" but the thing is they should be testing their blood supplies for hep a,b,c, HIV, gonnorhea, influenza, bacterial infections, fungal infections, anything that can take over blood pretty much these blood banks should test for. swim doesnt know the exact regulations though.

[Ikku]

SWIM's going to resurrect this thread to ask...will anything happen if he attempts to give blood next week after being clean from cocaine for about a week? He does not have hepatitis or HIV, he doesn't think cocaine will show up in his blood but he isn't sure. Are there any good reasons not to give blood?

[lexifer]

when swims school had a blood drive a couple years ago swim went to donate. he was asked a series of questions, including the normal ones like, any tattoos or piercings in the last year, iv drug use, etc, etc. there was one that stood out though. the person asking swim these questions asked him something to the tune of: have you ever engaged in an homosexual act outside of the united states. haha swim was caught in bewilderment for a second before answering. really wish swim would've found out why they'd ask something like that. i mean sure, swim understands the homesexuality part, but whats the need to ask if anything like that took place outside the US. sorry for the off topic post but the donating blood thread title reminded swim of this.

[Micklemouse]

@lkku - please scroll up to Abrad's post regarding cocaine use & donation. The issue is not only the presence of cocaine in the donor's bloodstream, but the possibility of hepatitis being passed on by shared bank-notes/straws/tooters used for insufflation (snorting). Can the donor be 100% certain that they or anyone they shared with do not have Hep? Remember that one can carry some forms of Hepatitis for up to 20 years without showing symptoms.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hepatitis

The homosexuality question is I think universal, & a hangover from the AIDS/Hepatitis = gay plague hysteria of the early 80's, which unfortunately still has a hold on the collective consciousness, despite the fact that HIV is just as prevalent in the "straight" world, potentially more so. There are campaigns to overturn this rule, but the medical community is more than a little reluctant at present...

From http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article....&in_page_id=34

'Lift ban on gay blood donors'
Thursday, March 6, 2008

A ban that stops gay and bisexual men giving blood should be overhauled, say campaigners.
BloodBan.co.uk says current guidelines are outdated and discriminatory and stop millions of people saving lives.
Currently, men who have had sex with other men cannot give blood because they are deemed to be more at risk of passing on sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
BloodBan.co.uk is campaigning for people to sign a petition which it will present to the NHS Blood Donor Committee and Prime Minister later this year.



Campaign founder Russell Hirst criticised the policy as 'outdated, hypocritical and not based on recent scientific fact'.
He said an alternative would be to require gay and bisexual donors to be tested for STDs beforehand and bring an 'all clear' certificate with them when giving blood. Lifting the ban would dramatically increase depleted blood stocks, he added.
A National Blood Service spokesman said the ban was justified and had been 'extremely successful' in reducing risk of HIV transmission via blood transfusions.
He said evidence showed that gay and bisexual men were still 'at an increased risk' of catching blood-borne STDs including HIV.
But gay rights activist Peter Tatchell said the ban was 'driven by stereotypes about gay male behaviour'.

The current British guidelines from The National Blood Service (U.K.) https://secure.blood.co.uk/c11_cant.asp

Who can't give blood

In this section we're going to deal with the occasions when you definitely can't give blood. The most important thing to always remember is that by accepting your blood there's no risk of us either harming you or the patients who may potentially receive your blood.

Check out the chief reasons why someone shouldn't give blood and you could save yourself a wasted journey.

You should not give blood if:

1 You've already given blood in the last 12 weeks (normally, you must wait 16 weeks). 2 You have a chesty cough, sore throat or active cold sore. 3 You're currently taking antibiotics or you have just finished a course within the last seven days. 4 You've had hepatitis or jaundice in the last 12 months. 5 You've had ear or body piercing or tattoos in the last 6 months. 6 You've had acupuncture in the last 6 months outside the NHS (unless you can produce the approved certificate from your acupuncturist or physiotherapist). 7 A member of your family (parent, brother, sister or child) has suffered with CJD (Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease). 8 You've ever received human pituitary extract (which was used in some growth hormone or fertility treatments before 1985). 9 You have received blood or think you may have received blood during the course of any medical treatment or procedure anywhere in the world since 1st January 1980.
You may not be able to give blood if:

1 You've had a serious illness or major surgery in the past or are currently on medication. Please discuss this with the clinical staff. The reason you're taking medicines may prevent you from donating. 2 You've had complicated dental work. Simple fillings are OK after 24 hours, as are simple extractions after 7 days. 3 You've been in contact with an infectious disease or have been given certain immunisations in the last four weeks. 4 You're presently on a hospital waiting list or undergoing medical tests. 5 You do not weigh over 50kgs (7st 12).

If you are unsure please call our 24 hour donor helpline on 0845 7 711 711.
Pregnancy

You should not give blood if you are pregnant or you are a woman who has had a baby in the last 9 months.

Travel abroad

Please wait 6 months after returning from a malarial area before giving blood. Please also tell us if you have visited Central/South America at any time. (Those who've had Malaria, or an undiagnosed illness associated with travel, may not however be able to give blood.)

If you are unsure please call our 24 hour donor helpline on 0845 7 711 711.

West Nile Virus

Have you been to or plan to go to CANADA or the UNITED STATES this Summer? If yes, please click here, as it might affect you giving blood.



The special problem of HIV and Hepatitis viruses

• Every single blood donation is tested for HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) and hepatitis B and C.
• Infected blood isn't used in transfusions but our test may not always detect the early stages of viral infection.
• The chance of infected blood getting past our screening tests is very small, but we rely on your help and co-operation.
• People who carry these viruses may feel healthy for many years.

You should never give blood if:

1 You carry the hepatitis B virus, the hepatitis C virus or the HIV virus. 2 You're a man who's had sex with another man, even safe sex using a condom. 3 You've ever worked as a prostitute. 4 You've ever injected yourself with drugs - even once.
You should not give blood for 12 months after sex with:

1 A man who has had sex with another man (if you're a female). 2 A prostitute. 3 Anyone who has ever injected themselves with drugs. 4 Anyone with haemophilia or a related blood clotting disorder who has received clotting factor concentrates. 5 Anyone of any race who has been sexually active in parts of the world where AIDS/HIV is very common. This includes countries in Africa.
Please do not give blood if you even think that you need a test for HIV or hepatitis, or if you had sex in the past year with someone you think may be HIV or hepatitis positive.

Never give blood to get an HIV test. If you're worried, please ring the National AIDS/HIV helpline on 0800 567 123.

Donors can get further information about these and other issues by contacting the special national blood donor helpline on 0845 7 711 711 (local call rates), open 24 hours a day. Information is provided on who can and cannot give blood, how to become a blood donor and where to donate.

For an overview of international policy visit http://rosecottage.me.uk/OutRage-archives/qiblood.htm

The page unfortunately hasn't been updated since 2000, but to be honest, not a lot will have changed, & it gives some nice background - check with your local transfusion/donation service for current guidelines