Prescreening Guidelines

1. Geographic Deferrals:

People who have lived in certain regions of Africa, who may have been exposed to a new strain of the virus that causes AIDS (HIV-I Group O), are not eligible to donate blood. People who have received a blood transfusion while visiting there or who have had sex with someone that has lived there, are also not permitted to donate blood. This is not based on race or ethnicity but possible exposure to HIV-I Group O. Countries included are: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Niger and Nigeria.

2. Possible Exposure to CJD or vCJD:

People are not eligible to donate blood or plasma if they have spent a cumulative total of three months or more in the United Kingdom (U.K.) between January 1980, and December 31, 1996, or if they have spent a cumulative total of three months or more in France between January 1980, and December 31, 1996, or if they have spent a cumulative total of five years or more in Western Europe outside the U.K. or France since 1980. In addition, people will no longer be eligible to donate blood or plasma if they have had a blood transfusion in the U.K., France or Western Europe since 1980. This is owing to the risk of transmission of variant Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (vCJD) through blood.

3. HIV High Risk Activities:

There are a number of high-risk activities for acquiring HIV/AIDS that can indefinitely defer people from giving blood. People who have taken money or drugs for sex, since 1977 cannot give blood.

All men who have had sex with another man, even once, since 1977 are indefinitely deferred. This is based on current scientific knowledge and statistical information that shows that men who have had sex with other men are at greater risk for HIV/AIDS infection than other people.

Intravenous use of illegal street drugs/narcotics also constitutes a HIV high risk activity and results in indefinite deferral

4. Disease:

For the safety of the donor and for the safety of the patients who receive blood, donations are not taken from people with some medical conditions. For more specific information on disease related deferrals, please contact your local blood donor clinic.

This is by no means a comprehensive list. If you are unsure as to whether you are eligible to give blood or not, please contact your local blood donor clinic.

5. Diabetes:

If your diabetes is treated with insulin, you are unable to donate blood.

6. False Reactive (False Positive) Test Results:

Unfortunately, a test result of "false-reactive" or "false positive" is an indefinite deferral at this time. The tests we use to screen blood are highly sensitive and are designed to detect donations with even the smallest levels of infection. However, because the tests are so sensitive, in some cases they react non-specifically with proteins in people's blood and the result comes up "reactive" (positive). When we then confirm the test using a different, more specific assay that has different sensitivity levels, it will not confirm positive, and that is what we refer to as a "false reactive" or "false positive".

The circumstances surrounding bone marrow transplants are different than those surrounding blood transfusions. If you are interested, you could register to become a potential bone marrow donor. Immediately prior to the bone marrow collection procedure, you would take part in a thorough work-up process, including physical examination and transmissible disease testing.

1. What is meant by a "false-reactive" (or "false-positive") test result?

A "false-reactive" (or "false-positive") test result means that the initial screening test was "reactive" but a more precise follow-up test was negative.

2. Why did I test "false-reactive"?

Almost all false-reactive test results occur because of interference with the test and are not due to infection.

3. Do I need to go to my doctor for repeat testing?

Yes. Repeat testing should be discussed with your doctor because he/she is in the best position to give you personal medical advice.

4. Do my partner, children, or friends need to worry?

No. Receiving a false-reactive test result can be worrisome and upsetting. But tests that are false-reactive really mean that infection is not present in the blood. So you would not have exposed your partner, children and friends to any tested infection or disease. If you have any additional concerns you should speak to your physician who can give you medical advice.

5. What do the tests The American Red Cross conducts look for?

Every donation given at a Red Cross clinic is tested for the presence of infection due to hepatitis viruses B and C, the AIDS virus (HIV), syphilis and another uncommon virus called HTLV (Human T-Lymphotropic Virus). HTLV is not the virus that causes AIDS.

6. What method does The Red Cross use to test blood?

American Red Cross uses a "two stage" testing method. This "state of the art" method of testing the blood for the presence of infection is used by laboratories throughout the world. In the first stage, a sensitive "screening" test is used to look for the possible presence of infection. If the screening test shows no reaction, and then the blood is considered free of infection and no further testing is done. However, if the screening test is "reactive", further testing is done to sort out whether the "reactive" screening test is due to infection in the blood or to interference with the test. This further testing identifies markers in the blood that are only found when an infection is present.

7. Why doesn't the Red Cross just skip the screening test and test all blood straightaway with tests to find the markers that are only present with infection? Wouldn't this avoid the possibility of a "false-reactive" test?

The "two stage method" is the best method of screening for infections in the blood. The screening test is very sensitive and can be completed quickly to allow the blood to be used for transfusion. The screening test almost always correctly identifies an infected blood donation. Reactions may also occur in the absence of infection because the screening test is so sensitive. Whenever a reaction occurs in the screening test, the blood is not used for transfusion and further testing is done to determine whether an infection is present. This additional testing takes more time.

8. I went and had follow-up testing done by my doctor and my test result was "non-reactive" (or "negative"). Why can't I continue to donate?

Current regulations say that a donor can no longer donate blood for others after having a "reactive" test result, even if further testing by their own doctor is "negative". The mission of The American Red Cross is to ensure a safe, secure blood supply for all AMERICANS. The highest standard of safety is achieved by accepting only those donors who have always tested "negative" for infections. Therefore, as a precautionary safety measure, donors with "reactive" test results are permanently deferred from blood donation.