What do the Red Cross test for when you donate?

Question

HIV and what else....STDS?.....Hepetitus?....Drugs?....what????

Also is O postive blood "bad" ....what's the difference?

Answer 1

The American Red Cross performs nine different tests on your blood. They screen for syphilis, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV. You are notified, usually by phone or registered mail, if any of the above conditions is detected. And, of course, they screen for blood type.

No, type O blood isn't "bad." You may be having some confusion as there is a Type O strain of HIV that is prevalent in some countries other than the United States.

The Food & Drug Administration regulates blood donation. Blood is considered a drug. There is a screening procedure during which many questions are asked. Want to see these questions? See http://www.redcross.org/services/biomed/0,1082,0_557_,00.html

Blood donation is a privilege, not a right. It's important that you answer screening questions truthfully, even if they seem pointless. The FDA is very, very conservative and there are many people who are not eligible to donate blood. This caution is why America's blood supply is so safe.

Answer 2

They check for everything. They want clean blood. They will let you know at a later date if there is a complication with the status of your blood. They will contact you and tell you to go to a doctor and get a second look if there is something that looks suspicious.
O positive is the most common type of blood there is. It is just a blood type, there are many different types of blood types.
Call any blood bank. They will answer any question you have. They are all very knowledgeable and professional.
It is a good place to go if you think you might have any concerns about your blood. It won't cost you anything, and if it's your first time, you can go away making money while helping others.
You have to be of a certain age to go to a blood bank.

Answer 3

O positive is the most common blood type
they ask questions yes and if you are fit they lay you on a cot ,put the needle into an arm vein and fill the bag with your blood =you have a tea or coffee after with a couple of cookies=this is to make sure you don't pass out =good luck and cheers for you wanting to be a blood donor

Answer 4

they test to make sure you are not anemic, they won't let you donate if you are. Once you have donated, they test your blood for HIV, that's it.
O positive is a type of blood, it is neither good nor bad, it just is. It is however known as the universal donor in that anyone with any blood type can recieve O+ blood without a bad reaction.

Answer 5

They test for ALL diseases that get passed through the blood, including HIV and hepititus, but those aren't the only ones.

O+ blood is not bad... O blood is actually universal, and can be used to help people with any type of blood.

Answer 6

So you don't pass on things like AIDS and Hepatitis. I had a transfusion in the 80's before testing and contracted Hepatitis C from it. The transfusion saved my life and the gift condemned me to a slow death. I even have a photo of me getting the blood.
They also designate your blood type so that it is not used for a patient that it isn't compatible with. Mixing blood type can cause death.

Answer 7

They don't want anyone who has had a history of IV drug abuse, no matter how long ago they stopped. They're screening for blood borne diseases, such as HIV, syphilis, hepatitis, malaria, and so on.
O positive is cosidered the universal donor, so it is a "good" type of blood to have. There is no bad human blood type.

Answer 8

They check for all communicable diseases.

There have been cases when app Blood Types have been contaminated due to poor storage.

O+ is the most common Blood Type

Answer 9

Prior to donating, they will check your iron level, blood pressure, and other vital signs.

Once completed, they will test your blood for any communicable diseases such as HIV.

Answer 10

All the things you've mentioned ,and others like AIDS and any other communicable diseases.