Do you know your blood type?

[Rowan Sjet]

^ I think it's most likely referring to Mad Cow disease, though I'm unsure on the specifics.

I'm AB-, and I discovered that via blood donations, which I started when I got into Uni. Used to do them every 4 months, but then someone smashed a couple of pint glasses in my face and they decided it may be a bit too risky to let me continue in case I was exposed to something I would then pass on to any recipients of my blood.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Bigoted and medically useless, perhaps, but there are no laws against that.

Pity.

You'd have a hard time with a discrimination case, since the donee typically receives no benefit for their service anyway.

The right lawyer could make a case, I think. Such as if there was an immediate need, a donor was found, but since the donor was gay, the blood couldn't be donated, and the patient died.

 

[Rii]

While we're on the subject of blood - do you get tea and cookies after donating blood in Canada? I used to donate back in the UK but haven't yet since I moved here.

I don't know if Canada has similar restrictions, but Red Cross Australia won't take blood from folks who've spent more than six months in the UK between 1980-1996.

Do you know why? I don't remember any particular outbreaks of anything peculiar during those times.

I know there was a big stink about infected blood, which I think would have been around then - but that wouldn't effect everyone who'd been in the UK just anyone who had received a blood transfusion.

Canada appears to have the same policy. Only with stricter criteria.

 

[trampledamage]

I don't know if Canada has similar restrictions, but Red Cross Australia won't take blood from folks who've spent more than six months in the UK between 1980-1996.

Do you know why? I don't remember any particular outbreaks of anything peculiar during those times.

I know there was a big stink about infected blood, which I think would have been around then - but that wouldn't effect everyone who'd been in the UK just anyone who had received a blood transfusion.

Canada appears to have the same policy. Only with stricter criteria.

Good lord! I had no idea that the whole Mad Cow / Creutzfeldt Jacob Disease thing had such far-reaching restrictions.

*sigh* Guess I won't be going back to donating blood then. Unless I do it whenever I'm back visiting family in England.

 

[AliciaD496]

I'm pretty certain I'm O+, but I'm not completely sure. Near universal donor, yay me!

I found out because I was a part of a medical study growing up that required twice yearly blood work. When I was around 14 I asked what my blood type was so they took a little extra and checked it for me. I still get blood drawn about once a year for TSH and fasting glucose levels now (family history of Type II diabetes). I don't know if I'd even be allowed to donate blood due to my genetic condition. I can't imagine it would make much difference, but I've never asked either.

 

[Rii]

If they're worried about HIV, why not just screen the blood after it's donated but before it's transfused?

Because screening isn't 100% effective and HIV has a long "window period" between infection and detectability. Given that the majority of HIV cases - and the vast majority of those that are detected early - are from MSM it's easier to simply not deal with them. Pragmatism backed by science makes for a merciless mistress.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ What does MSM mean?

As for me, I've got no family history of...anything, really...so maybe it's time that I should try donating. I *think* I might be O positive (I know for sure I'm O, I can't remember if it's + or - ). What's the most plentiful and rarest kinds of blood out there?

 

[Rii]

^ "Men who have sex with men".

Because not all gay males have sex with men and some heterosexual males do. /shrug

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ Okay, now you lost me.

 

[RoJoHen]

I once had blood drawn to determine if I had mono. Just a tiny little vile, and I passed out. I will not be donating anytime soon.

Isn't "tiny little vile" redundant? Also, are you certain it wasn't a "small vial"

You misspell one frickin' word...


And no, it's not redundant. It's extra descriptive!

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

Adjectives to the rescue!

 

[Mr. B]

I knew my blood type a while back. I had some blood work done as part of a standard checkup several months ago which contained that information. I have since forgotten.

 

[Kestra]

I have blood draws every three months, a few vials each time. They don't bother me, though I get a little dizzy sometimes and have to sit for a while. The last time I was hospitalized, though, I had to have an arterial blood draw, which they did several times from the same spot (I've no idea why). That was intensely painful and left me with a bruise that went from the palm of my hand to the crook of my elbow! It was so huge and purple that people gasped when they saw it!

Yeah, I get drawn once a month because my TSH levels are all over the place. It's pretty ridiculous. They don't hurt but that's because my parents' office manager does it, and she's one of only two people that can draw my blood on the first try.

The amount of blood drawn isn't significant enough for me to get weak or anything. I make sure not to jump in the car right after just in case, but that's it.

I suppose since I get my blood drawn so frequently I could have them test what type I am quite easily, but I just don't see the point. As others have pointed out, it wouldn't be necessary in an emergency type situation. In any other situation, I could easily find out.

 

[JustKate]

Whether you're gay or not is irrelevant though...

Precisely.

At least in the U.S., you are not disallowed from donating if you're gay. However, you are if you have had sex with a male, or if you have had sex with someone who has had sex with a male. As Rii pointed out, "Pragmatism backed by science is a merciless mistress."

Here's Red Cross' website on blood donation, in case anybody interested in the requirements: http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood

 

[Chaos Descending]

A+

Tested at military entrance and printed on my dog tags.

 

[SmoothieX]

I'm B+. I donate blood regularly enough so it's on the card.

Yeah, I get drawn once a month because my TSH levels are all over the place. It's pretty ridiculous. They don't hurt but that's because my parents' office manager does it, and she's one of only two people that can draw my blood on the first try.

I get mine drawn monthly as well. My lipids and liver function tests are all over the place.

 

[Marten]

^ What does MSM mean?

As for me, I've got no family history of...anything, really...so maybe it's time that I should try donating. I *think* I might be O positive (I know for sure I'm O, I can't remember if it's + or - ). What's the most plentiful and rarest kinds of blood out there?

AB- is the rarest, I imagine A+ is the most common.

 

[Yeoman Randi]

BTW, just to note, if you donate blood with no problem you might consider donating platelets or other parts. It takes longer to do but it is just as easy, especially these days. Most places will do the procedure using only one arm as opposed to two like they use to.

Most places have televisions to help you pass the time. One of the places I've donated platelets at has a dvd player, so you can bring something you want to watch.

One time i brought my "Field of Dreams" with me. As usual, i cried at the end. The nurse turned around and saw me crying and thought there was something going wrong with the procedure. She freaked out! I just pointed to the tv and continued crying. What a sap!

Blood parts are constantly in need, particularly for cancer patients.

 

[137th Gebirg]

A-positive. Had it typed when I got some blood drawn about 15 years ago, because I felt it was something useful to know.

 

[AstroSmurf]

Yeah, I get drawn once a month because my TSH levels are all over the place. It's pretty ridiculous. They don't hurt but that's because my parents' office manager does it, and she's one of only two people that can draw my blood on the first try.

I get mine drawn monthly as well. My lipids and liver function tests are all over the place.

Both of you too? I thought I was the only one that had to be tortured like that. I have Gilbert's Syndrome. (My liver doesn't produce the proper amounts of enzymes for certain metabolic functions.) I went for years having to be tested once a month. But last year the doctor changed it to once every six months. And since I have the smallest veins imaginable, I was thrilled. (Most of the nurses refuse to stick me because they are so hard to find.)

As for my donating blood, I realize the Red Cross is making a good call but I am more annoyed at the way they do it. They are not specific (which someone pointed out earlier) and weed out so many people that could be safely donating while letting others who shouldn't be. I prefer the way they worded it in the UK. It is much more clear, precise and to the point. (Women can have anal intercourse just as easily as a man while some gay men do not have anal intercourse.)