"Donated Blood Tainted With AIDS"

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1991. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

"Donated Blood Tainted With AIDS"

Washington Times (12/17/91), P. A6

Abstract: Approximately 1,400 units of donated blood given over a recent two-year period was contaminated with HIV despite testing procedures meant to screen out those who are at risk of having the virus, according to a recent government study. The study covered a total of more than 7 million units of blood. Dr. Lyle Peterson, chief of the population studies for the Centers for Disease Control's AIDS division, told members at a conference on risks of AIDS from blood transfusions and organ transplants that many of those who donated infected blood denied high-risk behavior even after they learned of their HIV-positive status. Even though the Red Cross and other blood banks screen every unit of donated blood for HIV, many times they do not follow up on donors who are HIV-positive. Dr. Peterson added that people can be infected with the virus for as long as six months before antibodies can be detected. Related Story: Philadelphia Inquirer (12/17) P. 1F

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