How safe is our blood supply? What are the odds of getting infected from a blood transfusion? As a hemophiliac?
The U.S. blood supply is among the safest in the world. Almost all people that are infected with HIV through blood transfusions received those transfusions before 1985, the year HIV testing began for all blood that was donated. The Public Health Service recommends a stringent donor selection process and the use of screening procedures. HIV-1 antibodies have been screened in U.S. blood donations since March of 1985. HIV-2 antibodies have been screened since June 1992. Donated blood is put through testing for various diseases. Though these tests are extremely effective they are not perfect. Any blood or blood products that test positive for HIV are safely discarded and are not used for transfusions. The risk of infection through blood transfusion in the U.S. is extremely low and has become progressively lower, even in geographic areas with high HIV prevalence rates.
